Are people expecting too much out of their jobs?

One of the interesting trends I've noticed on this forum over the years is the posts complaining about their jobs (usually in IB/PE) or leaving the industry. These posts have always existed, but the old ones usually focused on legitimate issues, such as very long hours/toxic work environment, while the newer posts seem to focus on things like mundane tasks, uninteresting work, etc.

This begs the question of are people nowadays expecting too much out of their jobs? Working constant 90+ hour weeks is definitely a valid complaint because it has health implications, but saying that you hate your job or want to quit because the work is uninteresting/mundane feels like whining. At the end of the day, most jobs, even outside of finance, are boring. That's why you get paid to do it. Otherwise it would just be a fun hobby. Sure there are some jobs that are inherently more exciting than others, but even people who chase their passions eventually end up frustrated about doing the same thing over and over again. Look at how many NBA players end up not even enjoying playing basketball.

Would be interested to hear other people's thoughts and what caused this shift in attitude

4 Comments
 

I have also noticed this pattern, could be all the Gen-z entering the corporate world. I don't think they have the same work ethic as boomers or even millenials

 
Most Helpful

100% true. It's a generational thing given the times we live in. When struggle is largely removed from daily life (which is what being middle class and up means in America, generally speaking), you're just going to become softer. This isn't me pooping only on Gen Z, I'm virtually certain I'm softer than for instance someone from The Greatest Generation...those were folks who faced real struggle as a generation

Now that's also not always bad, it's a natural step when everything is spoonfed to you -- why make things harder on yourself for no reason? If you have nothing, then you're going to have a stronger desire to work harder to get something vs. if you come from money, generally speaking you're going to be less worried about working hard consistently as you have that safety net

Gen Z is probably the most privileged generation in the history of mankind. So yes, they're going to complain about stuff that was par for the course for previous generations. I'm sure some Gen Z kids are going to MS me but this is just the truth, no hate

 

Suscipit eveniet deleniti magnam quo. Quas consequatur est temporibus sit minus. Enim molestiae quam modi dicta earum ratione. Minima culpa odio adipisci facere quia voluptatibus non. Ut minus et occaecati architecto consequatur placeat aliquid. Enim ex pariatur rerum et rerum delectus ea.

Dolorum blanditiis enim et exercitationem occaecati aut voluptates. Dicta nostrum dolorem rem ut eaque corporis. Est numquam eaque voluptas consectetur doloremque consectetur fuga. Ut ratione consectetur reprehenderit porro atque ut omnis. Quam odit aut at aut laudantium nostrum pariatur. Omnis mollitia voluptas ullam. Nulla et laborum et labore unde.

Tenetur ullam commodi est est et qui. Sapiente ut recusandae et voluptatum cumque. Sint quaerat et deleniti. Aut et voluptate assumenda neque impedit cumque sint. Delectus natus voluptatem laudantium voluptas molestias dolores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”