Anyone else graduate all starry eyed and is now miserable?
My #1 goal coming out of undergrad was to just be rich as balls, by all means necessary, no matter what it took. I assumed just having prestiege and a really high paying job would remove all my problems and give me happiness, but now ~4 years later this job is legit the only thing that gives me problems.
I graduated and was super excited about entering the working world, but now I am literally just a zombie. I did 2 years IB and am now 2 years into PE and am so miserable. I am nausceous all day and want to get out. I hate it. Anyone else in a similiar boat? Feel weird quitting and leaving it all behind...
Based on the most helpful WSO content, your experience resonates with a common theme among finance professionals who enter the industry for the wrong reasons. Many individuals, like yourself, start their careers with the allure of prestige, high pay, and societal admiration, only to find that these external motivators don't translate into long-term fulfillment.
A key takeaway from WSO threads is that banking and private equity are demanding fields that require a genuine interest in the work itself, not just the rewards. If the primary driver is wealth or status, the grind can quickly lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. As one WSO post highlights, the admiration or approval you get from peers for landing a prestigious job is fleeting, and the reality of the day-to-day work can feel overwhelming if you're not passionate about it.
Feeling "weird" about quitting is natural, especially after investing years into building your career. However, many professionals have successfully transitioned to roles or industries that align better with their values and interests. The key is to reflect on what truly matters to you—whether it's work-life balance, meaningful work, or a different lifestyle—and take steps toward that goal. You're not alone in this, and there are plenty of resources and stories on WSO from others who've faced similar crossroads.
And the money isn’t that good either when normalized for hours worked…
"My #1 goal coming out of undergrad was to just be rich as balls, by all means necessary, no matter what it took."
Then why did you take a job in investment banking instead of... actually taking a risk and creating something
whatever that is besides the point im depressed as shit lol but i know what u mean i more so meant whatever it took as in the hours were ass and bro wtf am i about to create be for real
Entrepreneurship is a significantly lower EV way to get rich
“Life’s a bitch and then you die.”
-Nasir Jones
Yes, welcome to the real world.
Find something you actually enjoy and try to do that instead.
That's a horrible primary motivation. Getting rich should NEVER be the primary motivation, either it won't work or you will be miserable in the off chance you get there.
Make that a secondary motivation, and find something you love to do as a primary motivation
Isn't this the universal adult experience?
Welcome to the adult life.
Also, IB is one of the only few careers where things compound.
What do you mean?
Get an MBA. I wish I got burnt out earlier and I would’ve done that
How many adults in their 40s do you see with starry eyes? Welcome to life bud.
Well, what do you expect?
You all get influenced by some influencers and the hype around high finance, while not even considering other career paths. Obviously you will be miserable once you enter the job and get a reality check. Most people are not made for that type of career.
If you went to a top school for undergrad, everyone graduates starry eyed.
Then after about five years, the reality sets in. Some students will become rockstars, but those are few and far in between compared to the number of people that end up in middle management, six figure hell. Surprise, surprise, not everyone ends up as the Goldman MD or the McKinsey Partner. Several people that you thought were destined for success end up working in Corporate Development at pick-a-random Midwestern F500. Most people that you knew as hungry and ambitious when you graduated will end up settling for a comfy upper-middle-class role with a slightly-above-average wife. Such is life. That's why it's important to knock it out of the park when you're young and can burn the candle both ways.
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