Turning 20 and in Need of Some Life Advice

tunaplease

Hi WSO community,

This is my first post here. While it might be strange asking strangers here for life advice, I'd really like to hear your perspectives on this. 

I'm currently a rising sophomore going to a target school, where ~20% of people go into finance, and ~15% into consulting (a rough estimate). For much of my life, I've been fortunate enough to have gone down the most prestigious and competitive route, having graduated valedictorian from a top boarding school and still doing academically well at my college now.

At college, I naturally gravitated toward finance as my career choice because frankly, it does feel the most prestigious. Coming from an immigrant household, it almost seems like finance is what my parents expected me to go into. I've grown up in a quite comfortable lifestyle, which is hard to forego, so being financially independent matters to me. However, unlike some people I know, who are self-starters and have invested in the stock market from a young age, I've never actually learned much about the capital markets out of curiosity or passion. I'd usually naturally gone for more conceptual and theoretical topics like math and philosophy. I know if I actually try to learn more about the markets and grind through all the concepts, I might enjoy it, but not having that natural drive as some of my peers have always made me insecure.

At the same time, if I do not enter finance, I'm not really sure what I can do with my life. I am good at and enjoy many things, but frankly, master of none (at least not yet). Ultimately, I know I want to give back to society in some way, since the privileges I have had are bestowed upon me by completely random chances. But perhaps banking could be a good way to get myself grounded before contributing to the causes I care about.

I can't stop but feel like there's not much time left for me to decide, as I'd need to start preparing for recruitment now if I decide to go into finance. At this crossroad in life, I'd love to hear some of your experiences and advice. Just some general questions:

1) What brought you to finance in the first place? Are you one of the "self-starters" I described, and do you need to "naturally passionate" toward the markets to work in the industry?

2) After entering the industry, how much of it actually aligns with your expectations? Do you find a meaning in what you do, and do you think you're at where you wanted to be?

3) Do you feel sufficiently intellectually challenged at your job? Have you gained tangible skills that'd allow you to exit from finance if you'd like to in the future?

Thank you!

Man it makes me sad when I see young people say "if I don't do finance I'm not sure what I can do what my life". it sounds like you've gone to good schools and a good head on your shoulders.  Finance is just one of many industries you can enter out of college. there are a lot of interests you can pursue even within finance (but not banking roles).  If not within finance, you can explore healthcare industry, technology, consulting / professional services, logistics, advertising, etc.  there is big time money / careers out there for people willing to look off the beaten path

1) I was a math / finance student in undergrad.  I enjoy the academic subject and investing / business analysis so that drew me to finance.  I'm definitely a self starter and I do have a natural inclination for the subject / work.  But natural curiosity, initiative, and intelligence can be applied to a lot of fields, not just finance.  Prior to banking I was a military officer.
 

2) once you're out in the world for a few years, this stuff loses its "sexy" factor.  I came to banking late, as an MBA Associate.  I'm where I want to be, and I'd say banking met my expectations because I had a very good idea of the work thru friends who worked at these firms.  I came in eyes wide open though with a lot of context, which is what young grads sometimes do not have.

3) analysts will probably gain more of the "tangible" skills that you are thinking about. I don't get as much into the weeds of the model because it's just not my job. I am gaining exposure in client management and managing overall transaction process. I like it, cuz I'm pretty sociable and like meeting people / shooting the shit.  I feel adequately challenged.  I am confident if I were to leave finance or pursue something else, I can land a great role elsewhere.  Either through my network or strength of resume.