IB/PE Lifers, Was It Worth It?

You're starting again as a university freshman with the knowledge of the industry you have now. Do you go down this path again? 

It'd be appreciated if you touched on starting a family, missed life events, etc.
 

Sorry for the repost but the automod moved my thread.

5 Comments
 

Based on the WSO threads, many industry veterans have shared mixed feelings about their long-term careers in Investment Banking (IB) and Private Equity (PE). Here are some key insights:

  1. Financial Rewards: The financial compensation in IB and PE is often very high, which can be a significant motivator. Many professionals in these fields are able to secure a comfortable lifestyle and a solid financial future early in their careers.

  2. Work-Life Balance: This is one of the most frequently cited challenges. The demanding hours in IB and PE can lead to missed personal events and strained relationships. Many professionals reflect on the impact of their career choices on personal life, including starting a family and attending significant life events.

  3. Professional Fulfillment: Some find the work intellectually stimulating and rewarding. The challenge of closing deals, growing companies, and the dynamic nature of the work can be very fulfilling.

  4. Long-Term Perspective: With the benefit of hindsight, some might choose a different path due to the personal sacrifices required. Others feel that the skills and financial rewards they gained were worth the trade-offs.

  5. Alternative Paths: There's a recognition that there are many paths to success and personal fulfillment outside of the high-pressure environments of IB and PE. Some might consider less demanding roles in finance or roles that offer a better balance of personal and professional satisfaction if they were to start over.

In conclusion, whether to choose this path again would depend heavily on personal values and priorities, particularly regarding work-life balance and personal relationships versus professional and financial achievements.

Sources: Seeking Advice - How to recover from being kicked out, MF PE is Paradise...LOL, For seniors who have spent your career in private equity, do you regret it?, PE long-term attractivity: Is the trodden path "broken"? Quo vadis gen Y?, What was the point of Ivy League? Major Regret and Depression

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Yes - if you like investing. Early years are tough. Becomes more manageable as you get more senior. Key is to find a supporting partner in life who is on the same page as priorities. 

 

Sit modi ut autem qui repudiandae saepe. Eveniet repellendus consequatur illo assumenda.

Dolor ex sed molestias et consequuntur. Nihil totam illo nostrum neque. Sed rem omnis quod tempora deleniti deserunt voluptatem.

Ut sed voluptas et saepe suscipit minima expedita. Reprehenderit qui esse molestiae et ex et quidem. Quis aut voluptatem qui officia. In eligendi pariatur esse praesentium nihil quia esse. Corrupti mollitia atque id nihil. Dolores qui libero nobis ea fuga. Necessitatibus reprehenderit repellendus laboriosam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 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

August 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

August 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

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”