Word of Caution to Houston Junior Bankers

disclaimer: former houston banker still very connected to the scene and have friends across most banks in Houston.

the Jefferies-Dallas associate incident hits close to home.  oil and gas in general is sweaty but if your at one of the Houston shops that don't care about your well being and are always sweatier than most - Jefferies, Moelis, JPM to name a few then read on

this job is not worth your life. your MDs (and seniors) do not care about you. your group heads likely do not know you by name. your staffers will keep loading you up week after week and will do what your MDs want. any positive feedback is all lip service. you are just another cog in the wheel to make senior bankers wallet heavier

remember you are taking years out of your life working insane hours on a daily basis while your MDs are flying first class or meeting 'clients' at 5 star restaurants for steak. your bonus does not have much variance but what you are doing is taking years from your life (and in worst cases taking your life) to put extra $ in your MDs (and senior bankers pockets). if an MD does $20m fees a year thanks to you grinding day in day out, he or she may get $4 to 5m bonus while your annual bonus is stuck at $60 thousand.

perspective. no job is worth your life

good day.