Investment Banking Analyst and Triathlons (Doable?)
I currently work a 9-6 finance job and am looking to transition into investment banking (bulge bracket). However, I compete in triathlons (Oly and Half) and am part of a team that practices from 5:30 AM to 7:00 AM MT, Sat and Sun 7:00 AM - 9:00/10:00 AM (I function on 5 to 6 hours a sleep M-F). Which analyst positions would you recommend (S&T)? Is M&A or Lev Fin feasible?
good on you for training that often, but here's the issue: would you have the energy to train after 3-4 hours of sleep? if no, then no it is not possible. furthermore, how far away is your training area from your apt and office? would you have time to SSS and get to the office by 830-9am everyday?
see @"Marcus_Halberstram" thread about the hours: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/banking-lifestyle-what-are-the-ho…
I don't see it working personally. by his math, you're out by 1am during a 100 hour week, probably asleep by 2am, then up by 5am to get to training by 530am, then doing that again and again and again? I don't see it happening, humans cannot function at work on 15 hours of sleep per week. if I were you, I'd ask myself what you want more, IB or ironman. then I'd schedule an ironman right before I'd expect my FT to start, crush that, then after your FT starts during the week just do short workouts (plenty of options here, men's health deltafit has great short workouts to keep you in shape), and do longer training sessions on weekends if you have time.
Training area (Central Park and Training Facility) from my apt, 10 min walk. Currently, SSS and cook meals, in office by 8:30 - 9:00 AM everyday, yes. Are the hours similar to S&T? From my understanding S&T starts earlier in the day (approximately what time?) and ends earlier (approximately what time?).
Also, looking to make the switch after last race (YE). Is that are hard/difficult time to break in?
Thanks
don't know for sure, I think @"yeahright" and @"ArcherVice" are traders, they might know. definitely @"Jared Dillian" but he rarely posts here anymore.
regarding start time, depends on your market and location. for example, some PIMCO bond guys are in the office at 4am because they're trading treasuries and in Cali, markets open early.
I think it's doable, if you can function of 5-6 hours of sleep and you're hitting your carbohydrate intake correctly you should be good to go. Sometimes I forget to eat some days cause I get into long meetings and unscheduled plans consistently, which I think is something you need to consider and buffer.
Going in early and the morning and can't make breakfast? Get that huge food intake for lunch, etc...
The prof is correct. Maintaining that workout regime on a few hours of sleep might be both extremely difficult and detrimental to your immune system/manhood.
I had a longer response written but they are seldom read. All I can say is that's an ambitious goal if you are planning to head into investment banking. It is also probably a poor way of choosing a career. It doesn't take into account your interest in either field, exit opps, work day or anything like that. If just training is important to you, stay where you are as that appears to be more conducive to your goals...
Thanks for the quick and informative responses everyone.
Background: I started out in ibanking M&A as an intern during college (running comps, making graphs/putting together models from scratch, research buyers list, making slides for PB, OMs, etc.) and really enjoyed my experience. However, given the ibanking job market I could not break in (non target, summa, boutique ibanking internship (4 days a week during semester, 6 days a week during summer/holidays, etc). Now I am looking to get back in. My intentions to get back in are not for the "prestige" and or "money" per se it's more about an interest in the industry/being around people that are hungry and willing to work hard/smart (similar to members on tri team - bankers, lawyers, etc).
As a result, if I were to cut back on my training slightly and possibly sneak out for an hour during lunch twice a week (M-F) is it possible at a bulge bracket?
Also, looking to make the switch after last race (YE). Is that are hard/difficult time to break in?
Thanks
Been away but saw I was tagged in this thread. An analyst position in S&T while maintaining a training regime 5:30 to 7 AM won't be possible during the weekdays. Plus, honestly your body won't be able to handle it once you start getting introduced to clients. It's typical for someone to finish their day early around 4:30, go workout, then meet clients afterward. Some of these affairs can last until the late hours of the night.
Investment banking and training in the mornings are definitely possible however many conflicts can and will come up. However, lots of IB people I know stroll in 9:00-10:00 typically. You could also workout at lunch in IB, S&T not so much since you need to have someone there covering the desk. As an analyst, that'll be you.
Definitely possible in S&T. Normal hours are going to be, what, 7am till 6pm? That's nothing. You can train after work/weekends.
If we're talking 100+ hours/weekly, that's a whole other beast. If you have to wake up early to do it then I don't see it being possible. You'll be running on no sleep. Possible to hit the gym during lunch, yes, but if you can only do this training very early in the morning then I don't see it.
But, props to you if you do. People have done harder things.
Depends on the desk. Some S&T desks require analysts to be in before 7, and a lot of groups have morning meetings before 7 or just after. As a sales and trading intern, my hours were far, far longer than that.
That's true.
I mean I'm only an intern too and my normal hours are 6.45am to 5.30/6pm. For the others it's 7am to 5pm on most days. Maybe 6pm at the latest if they have a few things to attend to but never later.
Far longer hours? Self-imposed or...? Understandable if you have deadlines and need to get the work in but I've been given sufficient work and finding it fine to do the above hours.
I was a D1 distance athlete in college and my training during the off season was often similar to tri training. In theory it is possible to be a junior banker and train for a triathlon but you will likely encounter a few primary problems:
1) Lack of sleep and schedule predictability - you said you did an internship in M&A, so I would imagine you understand this somewhat but remember that summers in banking are almost always considerably slower than any other time of year. Factor in stretches of time where you wont't go home before 3:30 - 4am (sometimes for many weeks at a time). Weekend training will also be very unpredictable as it can easily get cut short since you will have your Blackberry with you at all times. You will likely need to wake up several hours earlier than your MD each weekend. Lack of sleep will also obviously cut into your performance as well.
2) Nutritional quality / quantity - cooking seems to be working out well for you now, but I have no idea how I could find to regularly cook meals with a full triathlon training regimen. You may keep with it for a while but there is a high probability you will resort to eating out due to its convenience and desire to get out of the office for a few minutes with your group. As a first year, it will be difficult for you to leave during lunch since everyone else will be eating at their desks. People in banking unfortunately place an importance on appearing available regardless of whether or not you are busy. Again, factor in the likelihood of your Blackberry going off the second you step away with an "urgent" request and also the cost savings you will lose from not expensing your meals (not a huge deal if you are serious, but a consideration).
3) Actually making it to the race - It's harder than you would think to block out a few hours do something in the future. Your group may be cool with it but I wouldn't really assume that everyone will be open about you being away on a weekend day when potentially everyone else is in the office working on something with a short timeline. It may work out fine but know that in banking if something is going on then you are expected to be there.
4) Relationships - training for a tri will be much more doable if that is your ONLY priority outside of work. Keep in mind that you will become very accustomed to cancelling plans with friends, family and significant others if you have one. I know I felt really guilty for awhile about this and many of my friends just stopped asking. When I'm not working I always feel like I need to spend time with them. You may not but still an important consideration.
I want to emphasize that I'm not writing this as discouragement but as some very real points to consider from someone who has done that type of training and worked in banking. I personally wasn't really able to maintain a consistent workout schedule (ie more than one or two days a week) until after I finished my first year. I definitely respect your drive and hope you make it work.
You are nuts. Good luck to you, but I don't think it is possible and the biggest reasons is unpredictability of your schedule.
lol at 'buldge' bracket
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