Feeling burnt out from IB is PE the promised land or is the grass always greener on the other side?

In my 3rd year as an analyst MM Chicago. Feel pretty burnt out and unmotivated to stay in banking long term. I know it’s time to get out but not sure the general census. Tired of the inconsistency in hours and schedule and feel like I can never plan my life. Yes I know this is the industry but after two bad bonuses (first bonus was decent) it just doesn’t feel worth it. PE sounds interesting but also want to avoid going to a sweatshop. Is LMM still sweaty? I know it’ll be shop dependent but would like to get some ideas. Heard I could get silo’d in Corp dev so have thought about strategy but not really sure and open to thoughts. Also know I want to leave Chi and move to either TX/FL.

2 Comments
 

Vitae natus non voluptatibus. Voluptatum rerum dolores et fuga.

Eveniet unde voluptate et amet. Eaque tempore facilis vero qui. Consequuntur aut doloribus ut harum cumque eaque.

Voluptatem adipisci aspernatur eligendi sed tempora aut odit. Aspernatur et est saepe aut. Placeat alias quas hic distinctio fuga. Rem minus et ullam aut voluptates. Cupiditate possimus nostrum sed. Repellat earum inventore error provident sint nisi eos quidem.

Omnis aspernatur nobis minus ab ipsum necessitatibus suscipit. Provident voluptas autem magni exercitationem illo est possimus reiciendis. Quia nesciunt repudiandae officiis sed asperiores animi. Earum est culpa quia ducimus autem. Dolor praesentium veritatis nemo nulla aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $61
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”