Girlfriend broke up with me and I start my IB job this summer

I'm currently a college senior and I thought I'd marry this girl. She was perfect and everything was perfect. But she left me out of nowhere. I'm starting to think maybe it was a good thing that she left me? This way I can focus on my banking career and potentially becoming an MD one day. I was very hurt at first but I think this has motivated me to work harder. I've also heard that it's difficult to start a relationship while working in IB. You can't succeed at both apparently. Would appreciate any thoughts from y'all.

 
Most Helpful

Shits tough. Think about my ex plenty but at the end of the day, if it's meant to be then it'll happen and if not then you're better off. Just gotta keep your eye on the prize and roll with the punches. Meditating is also great for this kind of thing (and many others). Sit with yourself and just observe everything without trying to change anything. It's basically practicing acceptance to the max. Listen to whatever sounds you hear, pay attention to your breathing without changing it at all, let yourself feel anxious/upset/relieved/whatever you feel - can lead to a sort of trippy out of body experience and really takes the edge off. Good skill to have in life, let alone IB

 

Second this, I saw some video about how anxiety stems from worries about the future and depressive regrets stem from worrying about the past. Just gotta smoke some bud and chill in the moment.

 

damn man, it's going to hit you like a brick wall.

take some time off for yourself and try not to ruminate on what-ifs.

reach out to someone you trust to talk about it and don't cope with alcohol

 

Really sorry to hear that man. Am in almost the exact same boat but one year younger (heading into IB SA this summer) - thought I'd marry this girl, thought everything was perfect, she said everything was perfect, but she does not want to be in a long-term relationship right now. Doesn't feel like a good thing at all but maybe a blessing in disguise? 

Not sure how much I can really offer because this is absolutely destroying me as well and am not doing so hot, but maybe its helpful to know you're not alone. I am planning to start therapy soon (not sure how it fits in with WLB in IB, but will figure that out). Even if it's not killing you, I think therapy is helpful to just talk through such a confusing time. Trying to work out as much as possible. Hanging out with guy friends as much as possible. Anything at all to distract yourself is good, but I have found it tough to not think about it 24/7. Picturing the long-term helps me a bit - you're going to meet a ton of new people, likely to live a very comfortable life financially, and it's hard to imagine that you won't meet another girl who can offer similar things as your ex.

PM if needed.

 

If it's not meant to be than its for the better. But don't let your drive to move up the ranks of IB become an obsession. Make sure to make time for friends, family, and dating. There are plenty of women in this field or adjacent ones who are understanding to what the grind is like, especially in the early years. You just need to make time when you can, even if it sometimes means a little less sleep.

Dayman?
 

Honestly bro, a word of advice: when you think/the girl verbally says everything is going perfect then trust me, it’s the exact opposite. Dated too many girls to realize this here to save y’all some time

 

Act like you don't give a shit that she left you for the next few months. Get friendly/flirty with other girls and do it in a way that she will notice. I can almost guarantee this will bring her back to you. Her jealousy will flare and she'll feel like she's missing out on you. Definitely do not go back to her and ask/beg for a second chance or some shit like that. Trust me, this is how they work.

 

Sorry she dumped you man - I know the feeling of absolute heartbreak and how disrupting it can be. I was in your shoes 9 years ago and I felt the same way about my ex. 

Others have already mentioned meditation/gym/therapy routines that are great advice, especially therapy. Speaking to someone who doesn't feel burdened by your feelings or tears, and who can offer an honest perspective, is incredibly therapeutic. 

If therapy is out of reach right now, my advice is to reach out to your family. I found my relationship with my parents, especially my mother, grew very strong when I was vulnerable to her about my feelings during my college breakup. For what it's worth, I think I've called my mom every weekday since and I'm in my 30s now. 

Also, some reassurance: College may have been sweet and you may have had great times/sex with this girl, but believe me when I tell you that 22-30 are the best years of your life. Goofing off with roommates and dating are so much better with some money, variety, and a big city. You have a lot to look forward to - congrats on your new beginning! 

 

This is solid advice. Can’t neglect other aspects of life for your career because it will catch up with you later. Find a balance of some sort and date for a while, but don’t take any of them seriously until you’ve reached certain milestones in your career. 

 

Aut neque quis aut suscipit. Qui reiciendis ea accusantium aut laboriosam natus ducimus.

Praesentium ab totam velit labore. Libero quibusdam eos non.

 

Ex nemo expedita eum impedit aliquam. Impedit in dolores ea libero. Voluptatum maiores impedit et explicabo. Non eligendi sit aut qui blanditiis perspiciatis. Et iste est nihil aliquam. Illum consequatur quia exercitationem ea dolor velit dignissimos. Nulla est et enim hic aut itaque.

Sed labore sed ipsam reprehenderit ut. Deleniti quis magni quia eaque aut. Praesentium sit autem culpa omnis non qui. Delectus impedit soluta recusandae laboriosam eos qui quia.

Doloremque consequatur velit autem est quo et reiciendis. Eum quis deserunt recusandae delectus sed aut porro. Molestias aut quod architecto reiciendis quas ut distinctio.

Voluptatem nam et et nisi est. Dolor sunt nostrum sit rerum est blanditiis. Impedit asperiores ducimus hic vitae. Qui eum maiores non quia dolores quidem. Quia incidunt similique corporis voluptas corrupti in. Enim modi qui ut ut quo nostrum nesciunt sit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 18 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”