Burnt Out 2nd Year Analyst Dreading Move to PE

As title says - current 2nd Year Analyst at an EB who is moving to PE in the next 2-3 months. Was fortunate to sign with an MF on-cycle during my 1st year.

However, after the last 2 years in banking (in a relatively sweaty and toxic group - lots of work not translating to many announced or closed transactions), I would be lying if I said I don't feel somewhat burnt out and definitely more jaded and less excited about this opportunity than I was when I signed two years ago. 

This has been compounded by all the posts I've read lately on WSO describing PE as essentially banking 2.0, or even worse, with more stress and responsibility, worse culture, and no meaningful reduction in hours. 

At the same time, I recognize how fortunate I am to have this opportunity, and am very grateful. I have more than a month off before starting and am planning to use that time to refocus and reset, trying to leave behind my experience in banking and go into PE without too many negative expectations, a positive outlook and an open mind. 

For other people who are or have been in a similar position going into PE, is there anything you did to re-energize yourself and get excited about the transition and new job again after feeling burnt out in banking? Any positive / productive feedback would be greatly appreciated.

(Hopefully can avoid more discourse about how terrible the job is in PE as there are already an abundance of posts covering that)

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

If you can - take a month off between jobs and go travel for a bit. I went to Australia and did the entire east coast. Didn’t drink, ate super clean, learned to surf, and worked out every day while going on a new adventure. 

Alternatives to this would be taking a 1 month trip out to SLC or Boulder or somewhere and going climbing / hiking / camping / trail running for a month. Or going to Argentina and skiing. Could also go to Thailand or Mexico and get scuba certified and do a lot of cool dives. 
 

Some combination of new environment, sleep, no alcohol, and physical activity helps a lot. 

 

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