Best position for work-life balance at an IB

Hey everyone. Sophomore here from a target. I’m not interested in going into IV to work 100 hour weeks and hate it, I’d rather have a middle/back office role with normal hours and a decent income compared to most other jobs. With that said, what position do you think has the best work-life balance (RM, Compliance, Talent Acquisition, etc)? I’ve heard the tech department has good hours but I’m not a CS major so that is unlikely. Thanks!

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At analyst level BO does not provide a comfortable wage (places like GS even do crazy things like pay you hourly at 25 bucks and then half of that for hours each week over 40, almost feels like being an Uber driver for them it’s so bad) and MO will be a base almost as high as FO with only 5-10% bonuses and still the possibility of 70 hour weeks with no clear path to MD and possibility of topping out total comp at 180k and never going higher in your life. 
 

FO is most worth but it does not have to be IB Coverage or M&A. can probably get a better balance and optimize in some types of corp banking (these guys always left at 6 in my bank), capital markets, PWM, and/or niche trading roles (like CVA or hedging). 

 

Not the answer you're looking for but think I can provide some color as an almost-30 something. Of course all my opinion..

20s are not the time to seek work-life balance. I've had some cushy jobs through my 20s and somewhat regret it. Of all times to do it, now is the best time to go all-in on something. Party now, enjoy life now, etc. will come at a cost when you're 30 and look back realizing ~30s/40s are truly when peak life begins. 

Of course, there are many good options between cushy job and 100hr work week, and perhaps that's really what you're after. Totally understand.

 

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