With PE recruiting in full swing, this is a dilemma I'm sure many will face. My family, friends, and gf are all in NYC, would I consider leaving for a San Fran or Chicago for a dream PE gig (that is if I am ever faced with that happy choice)? That's a tough choice... especially with offers exploding left and right
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I did leave her city. It was for a job with more pay, NOT a dream job. Am I a bad person?
No brainer. Your career will outlast your girlfriend. And being single is better.
Tough but fair. If you and your GF are serious, wouldn't she consider moving with you?
Also, I'm personally happy being on the other side of the country from my family.
I think it might depend on whether your GF is a keeper or a throwaway, though if she was actually a keeper and you were making a ton more she would probably move with you, so...
Also, if you need a friend get a dog
I'm spilling wisdom all over WSO today, so let me help you with a buzzfeed-esque quiz, SHOULD I CHOOSE MY CAREER OVER MY GIRLFRIEND?
Question 1: Have you engaged in a fight lasting longer than four minutes with your girlfriend at any point in the past 12 months? a. yes b. no
Question 2: Has your girlfriend ever denied you any form of requested sexual activity for any reason, valid or invalid? a. yes b. no
Question 3: Do women exist in San Francisco or Chicago who are prettier, nicer, and smarter than your girlfriend? a. yes b. no
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, your girlfriend is a throwaway and you should focus on your career.
It's all perspective driven and varies by person.... I've dealt with this one before. I always said the job was the important part, and the relationship was secondary, but things change. It also depends on where you are in life and what you think her long term prospects are.
Personally, I had cities on my list where I said "If I move there, long distance is probably not going to work." I sought out all opportunities as if she wasn't in the picture, when all the cards had fallen I made the best decision for me.
Best of luck!
I've relocated before, and will again. The worst thing you can do for your career is to tie yourself to one city (NY is possibly an exception, just because it is the country's finance hub and 4/5 jobs will be located in the area).
This industry is too competitive not to be opportunistic. Think about it like going to college: would you really want to limit yourself to colleges in your immediate vicinity?
But isn't it much more involved than that? If you choose a better PE shop that's in the middle of nowhere, where you have no friends and family, it would be a depressing two years. I don't know if that would make up for the increased prestige/pay...
Absolutely not.
Just ask her to move with you. If she flat our refuses I think you have your answer.
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