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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a structured approach to your situation:

  1. Health First, Always:
    Your physical and mental health are the foundation for any future success. Prioritize addressing your BMI, ankle injury, and social anxiety. Consider consulting a physical therapist for your ankle and a mental health professional for anxiety. Many WSO users have emphasized that taking time to heal and rebuild confidence is crucial before making major career moves.

  2. Six-Month Break for Recovery:
    Taking a break to focus on yourself is a valid and often recommended step. Use this time to:

    • Develop a structured routine for physical recovery (e.g., low-impact exercises, diet adjustments).
    • Engage in therapy or counseling to address social anxiety and rebuild confidence.
    • Upskill or explore interests that align with your long-term goals (e.g., finance certifications, hobbies).

    This period can also help you reflect on whether finance is still your passion or if you want to explore other industries.

  3. Peace Corps or Alternative Service:
    Joining the Peace Corps or engaging in meaningful service work could be a transformative experience. It aligns with your interest in helping others and could provide a fresh perspective. However, keep in mind:

    • It’s a long-term commitment (typically 2+ years).
    • Re-entering finance afterward might require additional effort to bridge the gap.
    • If you’re considering an MBA, ensure this aligns with your narrative for applications.

    Alternatively, shorter-term volunteer opportunities or nonprofit work could offer similar benefits without the extended time commitment.

  4. Re-entering Finance:
    If you decide to jump back into finance, focus on roles that align with your strengths and allow for a smoother transition.

    • Leverage your strong references and past performance.
    • Address the gap proactively in interviews by framing it as a period of growth and recovery.
    • Consider roles in less intense environments initially to ease back into the industry.

    Networking will be key here. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, and alumni to explore opportunities and gain insights.

  5. MBA Consideration:
    Missing this year’s deadlines doesn’t mean the MBA is off the table. Use the next year to strengthen your profile:

    • Address your health and personal challenges.
    • Engage in meaningful work or service that adds depth to your application.
    • Prepare for the GMAT/GRE if needed.

    An MBA could be a great way to pivot within finance or explore new industries, but ensure it aligns with your long-term goals.

  6. Leaving Finance:
    If you’re genuinely considering leaving finance, take time to explore alternative careers. Reflect on what aspects of finance you enjoyed and what you didn’t. Consider informational interviews or short-term projects in other fields to test the waters before making a permanent switch.

Immediate Action Plan:

  • Short-Term (Next 1-3 Months): Focus on health recovery, therapy, and building a daily routine. Start networking lightly to keep connections warm.
  • Mid-Term (3-6 Months): Decide between Peace Corps, re-entering finance, or exploring alternatives. Begin preparing for MBA applications if that’s a goal.
  • Long-Term (6+ Months): Execute your chosen path with confidence, knowing you’ve taken the time to rebuild and reassess.

Remember, many professionals on WSO have faced similar challenges and come out stronger. Your past achievements and self-awareness are assets. Take it one step at a time, and don’t hesitate to seek support from mentors or peers.

Sources: Quitting IB in 2023 - Burnout, Laid off, Depressed and Giving up..., https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/quitting-ib-now-what?customgpt=1, How Do You Deal With the BB Sweatshop Hours?, Handling Stress / Burnout in Private Equity

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

OP, sorry to hear things aren't going so well. It sounds like you've found yourself in a tough spot. I am not the best equipped to reply on the AM specific questions, but since no one else has responded perhaps I can offer an initial perspective. 

  1. Getting off Adderall long-term will only benefit you. Sounds like in the interim it has made things worse, but also like you didn't have much of a choice. As someone who went from a prescribed user to someone who has been off it for 5+ years, that stuff is nasty. When you quit taking it, it is like all the ambition you've ever had has been sucked out of you all at once. I found it impossible to do almost anything, and I am someone who was regularly accustomed to working 12+ hour days, in both school and work. You are making the right choice, but as you saw, it gets much worse before it gets better. Give it 2-3 months as you reacclimate to life without it before you should expect to feel "normal" again 
  2. On the social anxiety - As someone formerly diagnosed with anxiety (and who undoubtedly still lives with it), I cannot tell you if it will go away or not. My advice would be to do your best to learn to live with it, as this may not be something that passes. Adderall can fuel all sorts of anxiety, and while I think I was anxious before ever taking it, I am many years past addy useage and I still have abnormally high levels of anxiety. I am not a psych and I am not an expert on social anxiety (not the kind I struggle with), but you need to force yourself into uncomfortable situations. Make yourself converse with everyone you can in daily life, and ask an additional question to build up reps. Can be with a barista, your grocer, sh*t even just calling up your grandmother. See your friends, and your extended family. Own your sh*t. You lost your job and you gained some weight, it doesn't make you a loser. It means you're going through it. My friend went through the same sh*t and you know what, he met his dream girl during this phase. No clue what she saw in him but she makes 4x his salary (senior at MBB) and she is kind and beautiful, and now he has found a new job and is planning a proposal. Your situation sucks but the worst thing you can do is sit around and feel bad for yourself. 
  3. On the job front - I would recommend the following. Apply for the peace core and take it seriously, because even with an impressive background it is a hard job to get. I say this from experience, as my good friend served right out of UG and the people he worked with came from good backgrounds with strong GPAs and a passion for service work. Had my friend not been doing service work for an extended period of time, I dont know if he would've gotten in. This will give you more perspective on what you want to do with your life. 
  4. Physical health - focus simultaneously on getting back in shape. Upper body workouts, dieting, and short walks (if your ankle allows) can allow you to make meaningful progress while your movement is restricted. No booze, no drugs, no saturated fats, no nothing. Take a break from actively looking for a finance job for 2-3 months while your body resets, but rebuild that discipline muscle now. 
  5. Mental health - Finally, find someone you can talk to. Best friend, therapist, mentor (or all of the above ideally), so you can vent and be honest. 
  6. Last but not least, remember that your life isn't over. Look man, you don't know me, but I went through far worse than this. I don't want to get into it, but I will just say everyone around me thought that I threw my life away, and that there was no way I would bounce back. It took me 6 years to rebuild myself, and graduate from UG, but I have now proven all of those people wrong and out earn them significantly. I literally completely flipped my life's trajectory in just a few handful of years, and I did it brick by brick. You can and will get through this, but it won't be easy. 
 

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