The cost of being good
Many of my colleagues are clearly (and expectedly) type A individuals who have always excelled and refuse to settle for anything less. As a result, I’ve noticed signs of the job getting to them and ask myself whether it is worth it. Hair loss from the stress, sacrificing physical fitness, constant anxiety, stress, and uneasiness. Me, on the other hand, I can turn it on or off depending on the context – didn’t grow up in hyper competitive environments and never obsessed over perfection. I was simply optimizing for a high paying job out of college and went through the correct motions. Was less concerned about passion, interests, etc… (which, as an aside, I feel is slowly catching up to me).
Point here being that the folks mentioned above probably received a better bonus than me / are more highly regarded, but at what cost?
It’s this underlying question that has kind of sent my world spiraling lately as I think about what’s next. I don’t think this industry is for me since it effectively rewards a) intelligence beyond what is required for this job, and/or b) neuroticism to the point where the line between life and work is conflated, before it inevitably disappears, and/or c) politicians. I don’t have a, am not willing to be b, and tired of playing c.
I know what I signed up for, but maybe I suffered from short sightedness in college as a kid just trying to secure a bag before all else.
What are some less conventional routes taken post-IB from folks around the block? FWIW, I went to a target / semi-target depending who you ask, and have been told I have a strong resume and otherwise great profile for a broad range of opportunities (incl. B school).
If you made it this far, thank you. Know it might be a lot, but at least Chat didn’t write it! Lol
Have always appreciated the insights of this community, so looking forward to reading responses.
Why worry about what other people are or aren't doing? You're a grown man/woman. you handle your own shit and the shit of people closest to you.
Industry rewards money makers. That's all finance is. You bring money to the firm, you make money for yourself. Don't overcomplicate things. Do things get political? Yeah, so when they do move firms. Once you make it to VP all you need to do is become a rainmaker amongst clients and the firm will keep you around.
If you want to be successful in finance, just remember that the money makers are the people who make the money. It seems so fucking simple, yet people always forget that you're paid as a function solely of A) the money you make and B) the cost to replace you
I wouldn't recommend handling shit. Or the shit of others no matter how "close" they are to you. It's very unhygienic and you didn't go in this job to solve a BB's plumbing issues.
Leave the shit handling to the professionals, or do it as a hobby.
Cowards run, hero's face their enemy in battle(clogged toilet in the Goldman Sachs toilet when I was interviewing)
What job truly rewards intelligence that is just enough for the job? If you want to excel at anything you have to put your best foot forward.
Fair point, but perhaps you are conflating intelligence with work ethic? Hence why the a – c listed are all as and/or’s. In my experience, would say there are certainly folks who are less intelligent, but extremely hard working (and at times, neurotic).
Economically - top bucket is not with it as an analyst or associate. You put in 50% more effort for a bonus that is 15-20% higher than a mid bucket performer.
It’s only beneficial if you plan to be in banking or at your firm for the long haul. If you are planning to be 2 years and out best spot to be in is upper mid bucket.
In short, you should be doing enough to make sure you get promoted / retain your seat, but that should be the ceiling of career banking is not your goal. You’d be better served using that time for other things.
why not lower-mid bucket? I'm sure the risk/reward is largely the same with a moderate decrease in effort.
If you want more upside with more risk, but also a lot more freedom and less corporate BS look into entrepreneurship and business ownership
Epiphany of banking. Good work = more work
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