Taking a year off from IB/PE to travel

Hey all,

Has anyone ever considered taking a year long break from IB or PE to travel? I'm seriously considering it and wanted to hear other people's perspectives on it, especially what job search would look like when I'd come back. I'm generally fine with a pay cut, not too worried about it. More worried that I'm wasting my life away working 90+ hours a week. I'm currently at a BB bank. Thanks in advance!

12 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Traveling will eventually become a chore, and you won't appreciate it as much as you would normally. Why not find a job that's remote, has great hours, little responsibility + flexibility, and you can stay there for a year? I have friends working at start-ups making 90k, 40 h weeks, and are able to work anywhere in the world. You'll then have money to live in decent living conditions.

From my experience, most backpackers I've met were broke, unhappy, and using travel to escape from their problems. Not saying that's you, but consider that. Also, you'll get tired from constantly being on the road, and your sleep quality might not be great depending on the hostel you're at (if you can afford a year of hotels, good for you!). 

FYI hostel world.com is a great place to find hostels.  

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”