What if it is not for me?
Hey WSO -- I started at an EB not too long ago (after the training program) and am starting to think banking / finance is not for me. I don't have an idea of exactly what I would like to do instead, but after how long will I know if I can tolerate it? I'm grateful to have a job given the pandemic but if it persists like this I think it could materially hurt my health.
If at the six month mark I started to look elsewhere (different industry) would that be bad for my long term career trajectory (outside of the finance industry).
I'd recommend you stick it out for 2 years. The time will pass more quickly thank you know. You will build up the skills, brand, and network you need to make a good switch. Plus you'll stock away some cash to fund a search. If you leave at 6 months you'll have learned little and will have done your CV no favors.
I agree with the first comment that you should try to stick it out for the full term - that being said, there are way more important factors than just trying to arbitrarily hit the 2 year mark. Your health, interests and happiness are all more important, and if that means changing jobs at the 6 month mark, then so be it. That's your decision to make.
No one can answer this question. I understand the concern and desire to have answers to unknowns - but you will have to deal with constant unknowns throughout your career. All you can do is have conviction in your decisions and beliefs. Will it be bad for your long term career? Probably not, but it will definitely introduce more uncertainty earlier on simply because you would be leaving a clearly defined, safe path for something more ambiguous. You're going to hit that point eventually, you would just be accelerating it. Again, I don't think there is an issue with that as long as it is well thought-out, and you aren't simply running away from something that is challenging. Up to you to figure that out.
Lastly, you really shouldn't be that concerned about your full career trajectory being affected by such a relatively minor decision. Your long term health and motivation will determine your eventual success - not whether you completed 2 years in banking. There are people out there who did nothing in college and will bum around for years after graduating, and will still end up way more successful than any of us. Careers aren't linear. The whole "path" created around banking makes it seem linear and gives some people comfort, but it's not for everyone. Focus on not burning yourself out, prioritize your health, think deeply about the things you care about and then have the conviction to pursue them.
As someone noted, it would be helpful for you to at least stick it out through a full year in banking so that you are building a solid skill set (which is one of the primary reason people join banking) and you get your bonus at the end of that, which gives you some nice flexibility as you explore other careers. It certainly won't impact your long-term career if you don't stay in banking for two years; it's not for everyone and that is an easy thing to explain in interviews for other places. It becomes an issue if you are constantly jumping jobs after 6 months to a year.
If you are this unhappy in banking, I was highly recommend examining other options for a career. It's unlikely that you eventually fall in love with the job. For me, i've had rough patches but i've always liked the job and the firm I am working. This isn't to say there weren't periods of insane amounts of work, but always felt like I was still overall happy with my career.
Do you happen to know any resources to learn about people making jumps (exit opps) to the non-financial world? Like places to learn about going from IB to startup / unicorns?
Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of suggestions here because there isn't a formal process for that and the jobs are kind of as needed. I would recommend reaching out to a few recruiters and starting a relationship there. Given them your situation and explain what type of places you are looking to head to; they should be able to help out. It may take a bit of time given that these jobs often pop up when the startup needs somebody so it may have to take several month to finds some opportunities that you are interested in.
Just curious - what don't you like about it?
Stick to it mate. Finish your stint and seek other fulfilling work. MambaMentality
Super helpful champ thx
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