How do you make the PE career path sustainable?

I’ve been in PE for 2 years and long story short, I don’t hate the job but I don’t love it either. All the usual reasons - long hours, lack of control over my time, stress etc. I’m not someone who would choose to spend my weekend doing extra work or reading IC papers whereas a lot of my team genuinely seem to enjoy working each Sunday.

I’m trying to figure out whether it’s even possible to turn this job into something more enjoyable and sustainable, or whether the best thing for me is to get out. I want to at least give it chance to see if/how it can be better though.

With that in mind, I’d be grateful for any tips & advice on how you survive this job for longer than the 2 year associate stint.

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