Opportunity Cost of Wall St

What is everyone giving up to attain a job on Wall St.? For those that are on Wall St., Do you have any regrets about what you did to get there? Do you have any advice for us pressing towards our goal?

7 Comments
 

All of the above and personal health.

- Bulls make money. Bears make money. Pigs get slaughtered. - The harder you work, the luckier you become. - I believe in the "Golden Rule": the man with the gold rules.
 

Sleep, parties, trips, easy courseloads, fitness (not really since that's the one thing I refuse to sacrifice, but I don't exercise as much as I did before school), low stress level ... everything that everyone in finance is willing to toss aside in the pursuit of the almighty dollar.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 

I didn't really give up much in school. Still partied a ton, definitely did sleep less than before, but I don't sleep much compared to normal people anyway. Fitness definitely suffered, and that will be something that will continue to take a hit in the future, but hopefully will be manageable by eating a bit better and taking the exercise when I can get it. Biggest sacrifice come full time is the fact that you can't plan anything. Your social life takes a big hit because you can't promise anyone you'll be able to meet them for dinner/drink/party and you are living your life very much moment to moment at the whim of your superiors. All in all, though, most people who weigh the costs feel the long term benefit is worth it... hopefully it is...

 
Best Response
rufioloveI didn't really give up much in school. Still partied a ton, definitely did sleep less than before, but I don't sleep much compared to normal people anyway. Fitness definitely suffered, and that will be something that will continue to take a hit in the future, but hopefully will be manageable by eating a bit better and taking the exercise when I can get it. Biggest sacrifice come full time is the fact that you can't plan anything. Your social life takes a big hit because you can't promise anyone you'll be able to meet them for dinner/drink/party and you are living your life very much moment to moment at the whim of your superiors. All in all, though, most people who weigh the costs feel the long term benefit is worth it... hopefully it is...

key word there is "hopefully"

IBD has a high attrition rate for a reason...

 
alexpasch
rufioloveI didn't really give up much in school. Still partied a ton, definitely did sleep less than before, but I don't sleep much compared to normal people anyway. Fitness definitely suffered, and that will be something that will continue to take a hit in the future, but hopefully will be manageable by eating a bit better and taking the exercise when I can get it. Biggest sacrifice come full time is the fact that you can't plan anything. Your social life takes a big hit because you can't promise anyone you'll be able to meet them for dinner/drink/party and you are living your life very much moment to moment at the whim of your superiors. All in all, though, most people who weigh the costs feel the long term benefit is worth it... hopefully it is...

key word there is "hopefully"

IBD has a high attrition rate for a reason...

^^^ Agree completely alex... that's why all you can really hope is that you keep up your network and have options after your 2 years... whether that be PE, VC, b-school, the up-or-out route, or switching gears entirely... ultimately, though, I know that I will pick up some experience that will benefit me regardless of what I decide to do after... Everyone has to pay their dues...

 

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