Anyone else scared of the trading floor?

I'm a visible minority (African) in ER at a not so diverse bank (think Swiss, German, French and British bankers as far as the eye can see) and the trading floor intimidates me. It's like a frat house, except everyone there are all "old money", tall, attractive, caucasian/anglo-saxon males in their mid to late 20s. 
 

The vibrations there are definitely not positive, since it's like a bullpen had a kid with a locker room and a frat house during hoco. I'm talking alcohol, cocaine, adderall and other drugs I can't even recognize being passed around in the open, along with frequent screaming matches and throwing of chairs, keyboards, desks and stationery.

Is this a universal experience or is it just my bank?

11 Comments
 

Atque error ut accusantium adipisci error. Ipsam consequatur provident non. Sint assumenda fuga rem quae et.

Namaste. D.O.U.G.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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

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...”