Dumb to Leave High Paying Startup to go back to IB?
Hi guys, looking to get some advice.
I did 2 years IB then 1 year PE then exited to strategic finance at a startup. I have been at the startup for 3 years now, and got promoted to senior associate. The startup is decently sweaty, I work 9am-8pm on average during the week and work often on weekends. I have no equity (whole point of joining a startup right??, they said I am too junior) but my cash comp all in is over $300k.
The hours are sweaty for a corporate exit (I understand the pay is high though) and I am starting to realize I hate working in a startup. There's just a constant fire I am racing to put out or "solve" with no resources, etc. My role itself is not incredibly difficult but it is just pure craziness all the time and I am always stressed to figure something out that has gone wrong. Pretty exhausting gig even though the hours aren't absurdly bad.
My question is I think my plan is to try to recruit for investment banking associate in DCM at like a Soc Gen, Santander, Mizuho, Citizens, Keybanc, etc. I want to do DCM at a bottom tier bank and just collect checks. I've heard DCM is pretty easy technical work and hours wise compared to coverage (which I was in). I am starting to really realize I just want an "easier" career where I can collect checks and just show up put my head down and leave. What are thoughts on this?