Why is my friend going backwards?

Hi, i want advice on why my seemingly amazing friend is going backwards. His last job was 'Managing Director at xxx College IB club', but now he's an Investment Banking analyst at Goldman? Why would he go backwards from Managing Director to analyst? Maybe he did badly as a managing director and now he got demoted to analyst?

And another friend, his last job was 'Portfolio Manager of xxx College Student Fund', but now he's an equities trader at Jane Street? He also holds the 2+2 HBS MBA offer. Why would someone go from Portfolio Manager, to trader, to student? Why are these brilliant people going backwards in their lives?

21 Comments
 

But they are rlly, rlly good at making executive decisions tho. The Managing Director 'increased membership by 50% over his tenure as MD'. He 'led a team of analysts in writing weekly M&A newsletters'. The PM guy also 'led a team of analysts in weekly stock pitches'. They also collaborated with other clubs. If that's not killer executive skills then idk what is

 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

Yes. It is a reminder that, once you have beaten all the odds, undertook the labors of Hercules, risen to the top of the profession, aka finally becoming the Portfolio Manager of the College Student Fund, you should be grateful of your accomplishments and focus on the present matter. Do not be greedy, lest you get demoted to analyst at Citadel. Focus on growing the Student Fund into one of the biggest funds in the world instead. Hire phenomenal people

 

Yes. How short-sighted of me to have missed the WLB aspect of life. We all know running the student fund or being MD/ VP/ sector head of the IB club is immensely unsustainable and demands an intense lifestyle. I guess it takes a very wise man to be willing to have a longer term view, and accept a demotion from MD at IB club to analyst at Goldman, for better WLB. @biscuitsandgravery, this one is for you too

 

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