have moderate sleep apnea, m7 mba currently 2nd year, is banking/PE a no go as far as career?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights regarding your situation:

1. Recruiting into PE without IB Experience:

   • Consulting as a Pathway: Consulting can be a viable path to Private Equity (PE). While banking experience traditionally makes candidates more competitive for PE roles that require deal diligence, deal process, and modeling, consulting experience can also be valuable, especially if you work on diligence projects or finance-focused projects. Consulting can open you up to other strategy and operation-focused roles, which can be beneficial for PE.
   • Broader Exit Options: Consulting arguably offers broader exit options compared to banking, which can make you more competitive for a narrower, more focused set of options. Both paths provide great training for the first part of your career.

2. Health Concerns and Work Environment:

   • Health and Work-Life Balance: Health is a critical factor. As noted in the WSO threads, pushing yourself too far can have negative marginal gains on your career. Investment banking and PE are known for their demanding hours and high stress, which can exacerbate health issues like sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and tinnitus.
   • Lifestyle Considerations: The banking lifestyle can be tough, especially if you are already dealing with health issues. The long hours, lack of sleep, and high stress can be unsustainable. Some individuals have found that switching to tech or other less demanding fields has allowed them to maintain better health and work-life balance.

3. Career in Finance or Consulting:

   • Consulting vs. Banking: Consulting might offer a more manageable lifestyle compared to banking. While consulting can still involve long hours, the lifestyle is often part of team conversations, and the hours can be more predictable.
   • Alternative Paths: Many former bankers and PE professionals transition to corporate development roles at large companies, financial or strategy roles in industry, or even late-stage startups. These roles can offer a more balanced lifestyle while still leveraging your finance skills.

In summary, while a career in banking or PE might be challenging given your health concerns, consulting or other finance-related roles could be more feasible and still offer rewarding career opportunities. It's essential to prioritize your health and find a career path that aligns with your personal well-being and professional goals.

Sources: Q&A: Consulting v. Banking, the age old question. By Former MBB and Bulge Bracket Banker., Q&A: Former MBB Consultant, Regrets Due to Finance, Finance can ruin your career (hot take), Q&A: Former MBB Consultant