I'll keep it nice and simple, did my sophomore IB internship at a BB this summer, recruited for UMM / MF PE in April for Junior internship, realized this summer I could give a shit about working 80 hour weeks and I know PE will be banking 2.0. Now I'm looking at the "obvious" pivot of being a software engineer. Am I being a fucking idiot?
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"One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it."
- Master Oogway
Wish I knew what this meant my man
Your destiny was to become a SWE. But you took the path to avoid it, doing banking and recruiting for PE. But, while avoiding that, you actually realized your true destiny.
It's not stupid. Not everyone likes IB, just as not everyone wants to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or any other career. Everyone has their own fit. So look inwards, not outwards.
You don't have to feel bad because you did not fulfill someone else's definition of success. Everyone has their own.
And it was a very simple analogy. Read more books!
It's just not for you then.
Bump
Following
Na man, banking highkey blows tbh
Bump
Ignore title, currently few years of experience in banking under my belt and really regret not moving to tech.
Be glad you discovered this early, since I'm more confused about how to make it happen.
For reference, I did Computer Science undergrad, and received an offer for FAANG but declined for banking.
But I trust the process and I'm sure I'll end up somewhere...
Would love to hear your experience so far, and what made you realize that you wanted to switch?
Do you think you would have made as much money doing SWE?
Thank you my friend
Since I'm 5 years experience, I'd say money is negligible right now. One thing I am thankful for is job security (which nobody could've predicted back then anyway).
Banking is just mind-numbing for anyone remotely quantitative. I think you will have the same issue, where you feel your knowledge could be applied more effectively somewhere else.
Hey I did pretty much the same thing. Top uni in West Coast -> BB internship sophomore year -> PE jr year. I was always interested in tech and now I took my dream job at a FAANG getting paid more than I would in IB. If you are good, you will get promoted so dont let that discourage you. I would have remained in finance if I liked it, but I dont really and I am happy with my choice.
How'd you swing FAANG? I have (virtually) zero coding background. But I think I'd enjoy it since I make some pretty cool formulas on Excel and VBA. Also, what made you do the switch?
I had a pretty techy background-- all my prior experiences were somewhat tech finance so I used that to tell the interviewers that I was more interested in the innovation behind the products as opposed to the financial aspect of the firm. Over summer, I grinded LC but I didn't really get asked any hards. Mainly easy and medium (my role is not the most technical). Tbh, you are in a very unique situation not many aspiring PM/SWE's are in. If you can milk your story, I feel as if you will be in a great position.
My case on the innovation behind the products mainly made me switch. I had a couple times during my IB/PE internships be indirectly told that "creativity is not what we do here" so it wasn't really a fit. I see finance as more of an execution based field-- absolutely nothing against it, and if you like it that is great, but it is not for me. Also the hours are far better and the pay is pretty on par.
Bump, PE sucks shit too. Sophomore at a BB, Junior at a PE, current 2nd year PE (don't know why it says GE)
Banking is awsome
Some kids can’t handle it
If you are really interested in SWE, sure why not. Looks like from above comments that it is possible with your background.But ask yourself this: why? You only just realized that the short (but impressive) path that you were on was not meant for you, and now the whole world of different paths have opened up for you. Why does it have to be swe, can it be something else? Or are you simply drawn to the better WLB compared to pay? Something to think about!
What are some other avenues to explore? I want a job that's 50hrs a week, no weekends, don't have to worry about work at all after I "clock out" and of course decent pay (not PE $ but not McDonalds fry cook either).
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