Leaving PE for insurance , am I stupid?

At a MF PE gig for ~ 2 months and really can’t handle the work intensity, really like the WLB balance of insurance and am just genuinely interested in the sector and have a friend who works there. Would be taking a ~40% gross haircut but I really think I’d enjoy it more Am I stupid?

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At the end of the day, you should do what’s right for you and what makes you happy.

No amount of money is worth your sanity. It sounds like you already know the answer to your question.

If money is what you care about, there are a few industries / roles where you could look that are lower stress but likely pay more than insurance (which is somewhat of a commoditized space):

- switch to working for a PE backed portfolio company

- try to jump to investor relations

Do what’s right for you and good luck!

 

My 2 cents: you're almost there. Tough it out for 2 years if you can - you'll come in more senior/better paid, have the ability to pitch yourself in 5ish years as a sector specialist w joint PE + insurance experience (could do insurtech operating or investing for example), and overall have a better time building a career after the fact. If you leave now, you're adding a lot more risk to your career.

 

It's a fair comment man - think (from what I've seen) if you can sort of hack it for the 2 years though (ie not be a rockstar, just get the stint done), you can start to get the really juicy roles on the corporate side (got precisely what I was after owing to my associate stint). Would say though that I read OP's post as just struggles w work rather than mental health issues - if it's the latter, would definitely agree w you.

When I say juicy - I generally mean manager and up. Also, could do 1 year and move on as well w less optimal results. Better than 2 months.

 

When you lose something, you have to gain something. Although you lost part of your salary, you gained happiness. You can learn some new knowledge to create extra income for yourself. This can change your thinking very well

 

Out of interest are you based in London?  I done an internship in insurance in my first year before my M&A summer. The London Insurance Market seems a really attractive option comp/WLB ratio wise.

 

Yes I’m based in London, the WLB aspect is quite underrated imo

 

Are you thinking Underwriting or Broking side?

Only the comp can be very good at upper levels ie. Head of Underwriting, but only concern for me is what rung of ladder you pushed down to. Ideally would like to start off in a middle management / senior role considering prev. experience

 

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