Leaving PE Before a Year

Only you know what you want but maybe see a therapist first. Most of burnout is mental vs physical exhaustion 

This resonates sooo much. I think the question is what are you grinding for (i.e., does staying longer help you achieve your career goals or do you want to do something outside PE either way) and does it get better (i.e., is it sweaty right now b/c you're new and could be more efficient, are second years working less).

I think that’s what I’m having trouble with… Had a team meeting last week and looked around at my colleagues and am starting to think I do not aspire to be like any of them.

Seems like most of the team won’t start to leave the office until ~8pm (including senior principals..) 

I hear you man. I will say that it’s your life and you’re giving it up working 24/7 at a place that will chew you up and spit you out when it suits them.

it is infinitely harder to be successful at anything if you’re burned out constantly or don’t like the work - to me this is a no brainer, stop wasting your life and do something that you really enjoy. Sure it’s an initiao pay cut but careers aren’t linear, if you find something you love you’ll put your heart into it and can get very senior very quickly.

PE is also nowhere near as lucrative as it once was so the opportunity cost is hardly massive. 
 

don’t sacrifice your life / happiness for something making you unhappy everyday 

Don’t worry. I was exactly in your boat when I started about a year ago. I would advise you to at least try to turn the corner on the year. There’s just something about getting through winter and into spring/summer at the same time as getting better at your job that makes folks feel a lot better fnishing up their first year. I would bet that it will get better for you. If you moved for this gig (even if not), don’t forget there’s also just general life change at play here too. I’d try to get through and clip that bonus and then re-assess.

Could just also look at different funds... Most LMM funds aren't going to be as grindy and you'll still be paid well.

I would stay through the end of the year, it is only a couple of months and it will fly by. Then towards the end of the year check out and try to take some PTO around the holidays.

See how you feel after some time off. If you still feel burnt out and want to make change then dust off your resume and take some recruiter calls. Have you considered business school? You have a lot of optionality at this point in your career.

I’m in the same boat as you brother. I’m about to go into an interview as I write this lol. Agree with others on sticking it out a year. My plan is to get my bonus and jump ship soon after 

Not in PE but just want to say you are not alone and am in a same boat. I have started networking and talking to headhunters which has helped my morale a bit (seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, a sense of progress towards a chiller life, etc.)