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I think this will vary greatly depending on who you ask. For me, it's all been about the journey. I started as a 20 year-old IT guy who wasn't even in college, and am now a quant analyst at a bulge bracket bank. The most satisfying part of my job has been gaining the knowledge that I can learn anything I want to if I put in the time. I've dissected papers on optimal satellite transmission signal encoding, analysis of audio waves, and topics I never would have had the confidence to attack if I were still configuring email servers for $50k, which when you're 20 years old seems like a lot but is nothing in hindsight.

in it 2 win it
 
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  • Be IT guy in high school because I'm a giant computer nerd
  • Get IT job after high school instead of going to college, because money > everything
  • Be recommended as IT guy for a FoF
  • Work at FoF and see how nerds out-earn you 4x and tell you to fix shit with reckless abandon
  • Decide to go to college to become a nerd
  • Do unpaid internships because I'm not an entitled bitch
  • Take risky 6-month contract at IB for brand + experience working all-nighters
  • Get senior analyst role at F100, ostensibly because I had niche experience at an IB
  • Do a coding boot camp, start doing a second degree in mathematics
  • Get hired at IB as quant
  • ???
  • Swim in cash
in it 2 win it
 

I just imagined a young guy going into an interview and he answers every question with that answer verbatim while growing increasingly exasperated. The interviewer is impressed at first, but by like the sixth question, he's calling people in to get a load of this guy.

heister: Look at all these wannabe richies hating on an expensive salad. https://arthuxtable.com/
 

The single most unbelievable answer to "why finance" I have ever heard was the above. Career guides don't provide answers nearly as dry or bland as that. You could put that on an IB's career site for interns with zero copy editing.

in it 2 win it
 
"GoldenCinderblock" I just imagined a young guy going into an interview and he answers every question with that answer verbatim while growing increasingly exasperated. The interviewer is impressed at first, but by like the sixth question, he's calling people in to get a load of this guy.

I agree, it sounds canned, but that is the answer to "why finance" ... that should be something that gets us excited, because that is what we do.

 
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"REPESailor2020" I have always admired the ability to allocate investment capital to the highest and best use, driving growth with low relative risk. The skill-set requires shrewd macroeconomic insights and continuous study. I enjoy learning and being able to see measurable results tied to my efforts.

Are you a cop.

"I don't know how to explain to you that you should care about other people."
 

Agreed, this resonates with me. +SB

“Doesn't really mean shit plebby boi. LMK when you're pulling thiccboi cheques.“ — @m_1
 

Would argue any top white collar gig would prove attractive for the type of people you described...

Lawyers might not need to add but they still need to be "well rounded". Ditto Doctors, Politicians/Public Servants, Accountants, Consultants, Marketing, Entrepreneurs, Executives, HR etc etc

Was obsessed with finance, now do product in tech
 

While I don’t disagree with you, I would say would say trust erodes quicker when someone in finance isn’t well-rounded than in other occupations. If a doctor can’t sell herself, manage/grow a practice, or speak eloquently about a topic in her field, that’s okay because I really just need her to make sure my heart is working well. If someone trusted to make investment decisions performed the same tasks poorly, the reaction would be whoa this guy is not getting my business.

“Doesn't really mean shit plebby boi. LMK when you're pulling thiccboi cheques.“ — @m_1
 

Well I very much enjoy when the 70 average becomes 100 hours a week. I must admit that I feel giddy inside spending my weekends on a CIM / model that is headed no where but the recycle bin. I can't help but smile when I'm pulling comps for a pre-revenue tech company that can't afford to pay us an engagement fee. But most of all I love the look I get when I ask to use one of my vacation days or when my VP glances at his Rolex GMT and then my face after not taking lunch back to my desk.

What concert costs 45 cents? 50 Cent feat. Nickelback.
 

Models and bottles, obviously. Often (read all), it's the wrong kind of model though... :(

 

It's unfortunate that so many people are in finance for 'the money' because it's really not a lot. I think there is a subset of people who are actually passionate about finance and they are most likely the ones who decide to launch their own funds/firms vs. the people who decide to stay at the partner/managing director-level for the duration of their careers, ironically they are also the ones who would end up making the most money.

 
"SLC" It's unfortunate that so many people are in finance for 'the money' because it's really not a lot. I think there is a subset of people who are actually passionate about finance and they are most likely the ones who decide to launch their own funds/firms vs. the people who decide to stay at the partner/managing director-level for the duration of their careers, ironically they are also the ones who would end up making the most money.

HA! this has been my thought when everyone mocked my comment above about actually liking finance. What the hell? What is everyone doing? You get one shot at life.

 

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