Those who didn’t break in are losing it because they got dinged by every single bank and think their life is over.
Those who did break in are losing it because the hours are brutal and the burnout is real.
Pick your struggle. This game isn’t easy on either side.
| +186 | Americas M&A League Table Q2 Updated | 75 | 5h |
| +135 | New Article: Dramatic Slide as UBS #22 (US) & New Leadership Desperately Needed | 29 | 38m |
| +115 | Restructuring: Anti-climactic Experience | 30 | 5h |
| +85 | IB Net Worth / Savings Check | 35 | 2h |
| +75 | A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SUMMER INTERNSHIP RECRUITING | 12 | 2d |
| +51 | Boutique firm wants access to my LinkedIn? | 40 | 1d |
| +39 | Investment Banking is Hard | 17 | 1d |
| +37 | Woman who emptied Knicks trashcan on street then stole it was DEI exec, worked at JPMorgan Chase | 12 | 1h |
| +31 | PWP vs BofA | 23 | 13h |
| +27 | Who pays the highest right now? | 14 | 13h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Spoken like a true prospect that has never worked a single day even as an intern yet.
Just to clarify, I’m actually in PE. I probably didn’t word my original post the best way. I wasn’t trying to say that no one has the right to complain, far from it. Everyone’s been through their own version of the grind, and it’s completely fair to be frustrated, whether you’re trying to break in or already in the seat.
What I was really trying to highlight is how negative this forum has become overall. It feels like every other post is someone venting about how miserable they are or how much they regret going into the industry. And yes, that’s part of the truth, the hours suck, the pressure is real, and burnout happens. But when that’s all you see, it creates a warped picture of the entire industry.
The joke is on you. Read Howard Marks "Further Thoughts on Sea Change." Finance is a dying, washed up, beta industry in a rising rate, low growth, inflationary, and more volatile economic environment with widespread automation and AI adoption on the very near horizon.
Finance isn’t dying, it’s evolving. Capital still needs to be allocated, risks still need managing, and markets still need intermediaries. AI and automation will kill inefficiencies, not the industry.
Animi aut deserunt et rerum rerum hic reiciendis. Quo et dolore voluptatem qui necessitatibus doloremque sint. Consequatur iusto ratione et quia officia.
Consequatur consequatur quae magnam aut atque. Numquam sit iure sed possimus quia aut. Cumque voluptas eos molestias vel similique. Consequuntur qui nam eos inventore.
Accusamus quis non earum voluptates hic dolores doloremque. Alias quasi at ipsam fugiat accusantium consequatur autem. Possimus illum aut dolores occaecati labore laudantium quo.
Modi a voluptatem qui id aspernatur quia voluptatem. Blanditiis rerum totam repellendus quia. Aliquam omnis cum minima suscipit omnis. Possimus saepe harum et facilis vel inventore non fuga. Culpa sint architecto optio aut eius eum. Numquam nobis sunt voluptatibus nihil magni saepe qui mollitia.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...