Job has absolutely destroyed my passion and motivation
I love investing. It's been my biggest passion for years now, and I've tried my best to break into it out of college. I was late to the game, but followed the steps, doing good internships and landing a job at a big-name for full time. My goal has been to become an equity analyst, and I've read countless books, listened to endless podcasts, and tried to build as much of an understanding of the markets as one can by themselves. But my new job has completely crushed my dreams and I don't know what to do. I've been with my firm for almost a year now.
My work is extremely boring. On an average day, I get my work done quickly, and even longer-term projects that I'm given rarely take more than a few days. I try to work on things independently but it's not a good look when I'm doing something completely unrelated to my job most of the time. I ask other teams for work to do to fill my time and have been consistently shut down. I get great performance reviews and have a great relationship with my team, yet I still feel like I am entirely replaceable - or just redundant. Other teams at my firm do more similar work as to what I would want to do, but at this point, I've fallen behind on my skills. I've been applying to other jobs but have been ghosted more times than I can count. Even though my resume is strong, I can't compete with the BB/EB kids of my class.
Worst of all is that my motivation has become completely drained. I've tried networking, writing pitches on forums and twitter, doing analysis on my free time and more, but it has all been for naught. At this point, my pursuit of my dream job feels more like chasing after a high school crush or trying to win the lottery.
On one hand, I have a good job with a simple trajectory that most people my age would love to have. Yet simultaneously, I am completely unfulfilled and depressed by it.
Has anyone overcome a similar situation?
Ah, the classic tale of passion meets the grindstone. It's a story many on Wall Street Oasis can relate to. Here's a bunch of bananas for thought:
Survivor Mentality: Just like those who've faced extreme situations, adopting a survivor mentality could be beneficial. Accept the situation you're in and focus on what you can control. It's about making the best of the resources you have and not wasting energy on frustration.
Perspective: Sometimes, looking at the bigger picture helps. Reading about others' experiences, especially those who've had it tougher, might give you a sense of gratitude and a renewed perspective on your own situation.
Networking and Skill Building: You've mentioned networking and writing pitches, which is great. Keep at it, but maybe it's time to tweak your approach. Could you seek a mentor within your firm or industry? Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes on your strategy can make all the difference.
Internal Opportunities: You've tried asking other teams for work, but have you considered formal internal mobility programs? Some firms have structured processes for moving between teams.
External Opportunities: If you're feeling stuck, maybe it's time to consider smaller firms or different roles that align more closely with your passion for investing. Boutique firms might appreciate your big-name experience without you having to compete directly with the BB/EB crowd.
Skill Refresh: You mentioned falling behind on your skills. Why not take this time to enroll in some courses or certifications that could bolster your resume and rekindle your passion? WSO has a plethora of courses that could help you sharpen your saw.
Mindset: Lastly, it's crucial to manage your expectations. The path to becoming an equity analyst is often non-linear and can take time. Keep your passion alive by engaging with the investing community, maybe start a blog or a podcast, and share your insights.
Remember, it's not uncommon to feel a bit lost or stuck. The key is to keep moving, keep learning, and keep reaching out. Your passion for investing is a powerful force; don't let the current job snuff it out. Keep swinging, and eventually, you'll hit that home run.
Sources: How Do You Deal With the BB Sweatshop Hours?, How to Overcome Class Barriers, Feels like every facet of my life has fallen apart this year, Q&A: extreme poverty to non target to investment banking, Overwhelmed here, words of wisdom would help
I am not experienced but I will be giving my opinion anyway. You seem too smart for the job and if lateraling hasn't worked out, I would consider doing a Master's to get into a role you want. I have seen some people did this. You can consider even PT or online options for example.
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