I don't want to work

I just don't know how you guys do it. Finance sucks and is totally devoid of meaning and impact. I have been out of work for about a year now, and I just can't bring myself to interview or network. People ask me "So what's next? What do you want to do?" And I just can't bring myself to verbalize any interest in finance at all.

12 Comments
 

What do you see yourself doing besides finance? That might be a good starting point!

 

I felt the exact same when I was in PE and IB. Ultimately I made the decision to bail on PE, logic being it's arguably the most interesting and high-impact work you can be doing in finance. If that doesn't get you interested, nothing in the field will.

I still work for a bank, but I've found myself in a position that requires far, far fewer hours of me and still pays me enough for me to save money and fund my hobbies and interests. If you want to stay in the field, you just are going to need to nurture your interests outside your job.

 

Sorry for title (I'm an asso 1 in PE). Curious what you moved to. I am absolutely hating my job in PE. Has sucked the life out of me in less than a year and want to move to something lighter on stress / hours, but with enough comp to maintain a somewhat comfy lifestyle (obv willing to take a cut). When you were in PE, what options were you considering (besides what you're doing now)?

 

I work in internal strategy for a BB. Basically like a consulting function for strategic initiatives.

To be honest this job sort of fell into my lap while I was considering alternatives in PE through connections. I thought I’d have to take a much larger pay cut, but right now I’m compensated like a PE associate and there probably isn’t a huge amount of upside, but I’m fine with that.

If this hadn’t come to fruition when it did, was considering various other strategy / operations roles at F500’s. Those jobs would have been a much larger pay cut for sure.

 
Most Helpful

Also curious here on where you want and what options you considered. In IB and after dipping toes into PE recruitment and networking with current professionals, I just know I’m going to want our after a year if not sooner.

Don’t know where to go next. I don’t want to lose my monthly take home pay at the very least. Increasingly thinking about commercial banking or something that lets me work with and see companies but not need to commit my life to it. I’ve got other interests outside of work I’d like to pursue and I’m not getting any younger.

Direct lending seems like a path with good progression and compensation but overall lighter hours that enables pursuit of entrepreneurship and more regular hobbies but ultimately don’t know.

 

Qui deserunt eligendi mollitia sint pariatur sed corporis est. Repudiandae architecto ullam reiciendis sint. Deleniti corrupti expedita et deleniti est fugit. At nisi est placeat beatae ab quidem qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”