Why Shouldn't I be a Senior Core Lender

Coming from experience, the work is mind-numbing.

Although to your point, great work life balance and decent pay.

Seems like you want to swing the pendulum too far, if i were you I would move to a cushier asset management gig at a GP shop… still get opportunity for GP level economics, not the same level of deal sprints involved in acq etc.

I work at a mezz/pref/LP equity investor and share a similar sentiment. However, the problem is pay. Easily a 50% pay cut for me to do a very similar job with fewer hours and less intensity (just re-read your post, it would be less of a pay cut for you if you came to a gateway market. High 100s is achievable as an associate). I feel like I would regret it after a year. I’m thinking I wait til I can exit to a director level position at one of those firms because moving up the ladder takes so long internally 

If you are ready to commit to a corporate 9-5 job then sure. You will make pretty good money and have a good wlb. It’s not my vibe, but it is what it is and nothing to be looked down on or anything 

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Do construction, bridge, mezz/pref lending. You’ll have similar if not greater earning potential than being a Core/Core+ lending but at least you will retain some excitement.

I worked at a fund which could everything from vanilla senior lending on core+ deals to equity on ground up developments. I found senior lending mind numbingly boring for most property types (basically anything which wasn’t heavily operational) and got bored very quickly. That said if you want to earn decent comp and clock off at 6pm it’s the place to be. Equity was definitely more interesting, but on LP side it’s not massively dissimilar to debt. You’re still rowing in behind someone’s business plan, you just have more approval rights. I’m back on GP side now and much happier. I find it far more enjoyable creating and delivering the business plan. Also far greater potential to go out and do my own deals in the next few years, being out on my own has always really appealed to me. That’s much harder to do on lender / LP side.

Generally work more in lending FYI. The volume is much higher because you do acquisitions and refis. 

Follow up statement and Q for everyone on here, I'm feeling that mid-career malaise and I just want to top out at 400k a year at a cushy senior lending originator position and spend my time gardening and skiing while not working a second more than 50 hours a week. I'm in my late 20s/early 30s and mind numbing work and going home early sounds dope. 

Is this realistic? Maybe get a bump or 2 by 35 and originate some loans of I'm not a complete idiot? I've been at one of the big heavy GPs that are talked about on this forum so assume I'm not a complete idiot or can pretend like I'm not one

400k a year sounds great, is that even feasible/likely though?