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. 

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

 
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