Where is the time for friends/ serious relationships working 80-100 hour work weeks?
I am just wondering whether you all have friends (outside of the bank) or an SO working these hours? I see indication of analysts dating, but am unsure whether this is real or just people self projecting an image of themself that they want. I mean where is the time to develop serious friends/relationships? Do you have any strategies? College kid that is simply curious about this.
Relationships are what you make of it. I guarantee you can find 10 - 15 minutes to call someone close to you every single day no matter what your hours.
I always make it a point to text my parents, call my SO, and stay updated with my friends.
Supporting a long-term relationships with an SO can be difficult if they're not okay with your hours/WL balance--I have been with my SO, however, for 7 years now and she 100% understands my priorities.
I would say the worst part is not necessarily the hours but the unpredictability of the work. Just as the previous comment mentioned, you will always be able to make time but what strains relationships is cancelling on your friends/SO. Good friends will understand, and so will a supportive SO. Your plans will soon become last minute rather than planned far in advance. Depending on the type of work on your plate you can sometimes go out for dinner with your SO and go back to work after, you will just sacrifice some sleep for such plans.
THIS! Only takes 3-4 times in a row of cancelling plans to start not getting included. The toughest part for me was maintaining relationships with non-finance friends because they simply don't understand why I can't make an 8pm dinner friday when they've been out of work since 1pm thanks to "summer fridays".
First off, hours are exaggerated. Will you work 100 hour weeks, sure/maybe - I am way older than protected weekends. I don’t know how that is.
My take as a young analyst was make sure to have fun, even if it meant little sleep. You are in your 20s once so don’t ruin that. I’d work till midnight and then go out for an hour or two on many weeknights. Plenty of people do that. IB analysts don’t have to be in early (don’t take this as gospel until you’ve established yourself and know your group please).
You will often have to cancel plans, but at least in NYC you know so many people in the same situation that it’s forgiveable. Build a good crew and have a focus on getting out several nights a week. It makes the grind much easier.
Relationships are harder but I met my wife of 10+ year as an IB analyst. I’d meet her for dinner at 10pm and then go back around midnight to finish my work. You can game the system if you are efficient and prioritize.