I used to have a plan, and then paycheck hits. golden handcuff in trading

As a student, people will scare you about future uncertainty and "optionality". But back then I knew that my final destination is to be a prop trader, and I want to stay in energy and/or Texas, so I knew my options would be vast when starting out in energy trading

I did have a plan: thought I would go to biz school or do an MPA if I make enough, maybe law school if I want to do public interest stuff, then I will switch to different careers that are also fun/meaningful. My then-manager said to me when I mentioned my plan "I was the same, but then I make too much money to leave." I just laughed.

Eventually through different avenues, I did have no problems getting noticed and getting different jobs, there are a lot of opportunities out there to exit it turns out. Recently heard back from an opportunity in consulting, and I look at the salary number on that contract:

Ha so it's not that people don't have exit ops/can't leave; they just make too much to move. Reality hits, and it just doesn't make sense.

No wonder those traders have stayed in their seats since forever. 

7 Comments
 

Do you feel like you’re staying in it just for the money or do you like what you do?

 
Most Helpful

Ipsa voluptas earum sunt modi quae. Fugit sunt doloremque quis sit. Repellat autem odio qui quis nesciunt est porro odio. Non dolorem cum maiores corporis. Et occaecati magni excepturi enim.

Asperiores iusto quas soluta possimus deleniti similique. Expedita error quaerat est nihil. Alias placeat et delectus consequatur. Eveniet quo dolor numquam libero quis minima. Doloremque doloremque voluptatem natus dolorem.

Nesciunt ut qui nobis ad reprehenderit voluptatum in. Amet excepturi et nihil qui eveniet saepe minima. Voluptatem sunt quis corrupti natus impedit beatae.

Minima harum quam eum. Incidunt animi facere eos labore. Aperiam sint architecto explicabo eius consequatur pariatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (49) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”