Banking to Software Engineering? All advice appreciated.
Hey guys,
Posting on a throwaway here. Firstly, I don’t intend for this post to come of as overly negative or critical of investment banking—I’ve had my fair share of positive experiences and things I like about this industry which I’ve written about before; the below is simply a reflection of my recent personal experience.
With that said, though, I feel Iike I’ve recently reached a tipping point regarding my job—I’m currently a first year analyst at a BB (hit the desk in August 2019) on the west coast, and I majored in business at a top 20 school. Initially, I liked my job and the summer internship before it, but it’s recently gotten to the point where I’ve been pulling multiple long nights for weeks on end, and I feel like the work I’m doing isn’t intellectually stimulating anymore. A lot of my work still involves formatting, data entry, and PowerPoint work, and while I do get opportunities to work on deals/models, I feel as if I’ve lost the intellectual curiosity I had when I first started the job, and 80% of my job still involves this menial “grunt” work, which I dislike. Don’t get me wrong, I still know very little about my industry coverage group and I’m sure my technical understanding of M&A and LBO models could be improved, but I no longer have the passion to explore either interest further. Perhaps it’s the long hours, the unpredictable and urgent demands from my senior bankers, or the grunt work that I’ve had to go through, but I simply don’t like my job anymore. Every day I come into work (physically and virtually, given COVID-19), I have a sense of dread and despair.
I’m considering on what to do next, and some options I’ve considered include trying to recruit for PE, which to be frank, I don’t know will be much better than banking in terms of lifestyle/work, studying for the LSAT in the hopes of going to law school, which again seems equivalent to banking in terms of work/lifestyle, or software engineering. I realize that software engineering is probably the furthest thing from my expertise or experience that I could have selected, especially since I took zero math/cs courses during my time in college, but it’s the one idea that I thought about recently that has sparked some excitement in me and reignited my desire to learn. I did, however, take a AP Computer Science course in high school that taught Java, and I did enjoy that a lot. On top of that, the work/life balance of CS is something that really stands out to me and something I highly value.
I wanted to ask you all if you thought switching from banking to CS would first of all be feasible and secondly, if it would be a good idea. My fear is that leaving banking for software engineering is too rash of a decision (after all, I don’t know if I’d truly enjoy the work in software engineering either and all I have to base my expectation of SWE is one high school course I took) and that I’m not cut out for it—I consider myself a guy with above-average intelligence and a willingness to work hard, and by no means am I a genius or super math-savvy.
Secondly, I’m afraid that my current feelings regarding my banking job are simply fleeting, as in my current feelings are “just a phase”. I guess there’s really no way to know unless I stick it out, but I honestly don’t know how much more of this job I can take—I’m planning on trying to leave this job at the end of this summer, once my bonus hits, and if I can find something else that will enable me to pursue CS. I hope that’s either through a coding boot camp, maybe even a post-bacc in CS, or perhaps even a masters in finance (I’ve heard those are quite quantitative and focused on math/CS, especially a program like MIT MFin).
Does anyone have any advice, have made the transition from finance to CS, know people who did, or might know the best way of going into CS, whether that be through a boot camp/degree/self study? Any advice would be tremendously appreciated; I honestly feel so lost and conflicted on what to do right now.
Although I no longer might be the best person for this, I’m still happy to continue to offer advice on banking, including how to prepare, how to break in, and just reflect on my overall experience, etc., so for those looking to break in, feel free to shoot me a PM or post a question below.
Thanks so much guys!
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Thanks a bunch for your thoughtful response! I'll send you a PM.
OP for the love of god, don't go from banking to being a fucking business systems analyst or IT consultant. You will hate your life even more and will be bored to tears working in an (or with) IT department(s) on mind-numbing projects for corporate function/line-of-business ERP software. Just don't do it.
If you want to ease into tech, either take an exit into the CorpDev/Finance department and use internal transfer systems (lots of tech companies allow you to transition to SWE) to move over when you're ready. Hell, do a top tier bootcamp like HackReactor or AppAcademy. Maybe even read up a bit on elementary level data analysis using python and swing for a Product Analyst or Data Scientist, Analytics role.
Alternatively, some universities accept kids into CS or Data Science masters programs without any prior quantitative/technical backgrounds. Alternatively quantitative finance masters programs are also a good option.
Whatever it is, don't settle for leaving an otherwise prestigious job for some crap tier technical role in pursuit of becoming a SWE. You'll be kicking yourself for it if you do.
fully agree with this. The best way to go about this should be a gradual shift. It should not be too hard transitioning to tech in an FP&A or Corp dev role. Then while already at a tech company, work hard on learning to code/networking your way into SWE roles.
OP, I moved to PE from a BB and having same thoughts.. Also interested and wish you all the best
Thank you, will let you know how it turns out
How did it turn out? I'm interested in making the same move.
I know 2 people who did the IB -> SWE move. Both did self studying + one of those coding bootcamp things.
Thanks for the response--how'd they like it and how'd they turn out?
Don't know either of them super well, but both are still SWEs - one for a F50 company, one for a major media / news org.
Former SWE now going into IB chiming in. Yes, you can do it. Software engineering is not hard. The question is, will you be happy and therefore successful? Most people I've met who are in IB are personable. They like interacting with people and building relationships. They like fast paced meetings. You need to know that if you become a SWE, everyone around you will be the complete opposite. A perfect day for them will be one where their calendar is completely empty, where they sit at their desk for 8 hours straight and type. They will send you DMs while sitting right next to you instead of speaking because they don't like other humans. Anything that's not coding is a waste of time. Is that the work experience you want? If so, go for it, it's not hard.
How were you able to transfer into IB from SWE?
MBA
I’d do it soon before firms stop hiring average SWEs.
if you can do well at leetcode you’re all set
Update: the fintech firm turned out to be a terrible place and I'm now in banking. Still doing coding since my group is chill.
Hi, I believe I am in a similar position as you are/were. Fwiw, since this post was made more than half a year ago, you might have already made the transition, or you are still in IB.
I finished my Master of Finance and got a job at the FAS department of an accounting firm. The work is very technical compared to IB, but definitely less strategic or comprehensive. There were some model audits and gradually, I started to feel less exciting when doing audits or even model builds.
I now made the transition to a product manager at a small/medium-sized fintech firm. I have been learnign SQL, Python, and Swift --- yes you can do that. SQL is relatively easy to be proficient at since it is a database query language, not meant to be a comprehensive general-purpose language. Once you equip yourself with that data analytical ability, learn Python. Python's analytical packages are powerful. Make sure you work on some actual projects, or you forget about syntaxes gradually (me and Python now...).
I have been learning Swift/iOS development. I think it's cool and I like it. That's it.
After moving out of the US a couple months ago, I do not enjoy the privilege of Silicon Valley or coding bootcamps anymore, so my plan is to learn coding, pace myself, and see where it goes.
Feel free to PM. Hope this helps.
Hi, dm'd you on your transition!
Hi, just PM'd you. Interested in knowing more about the goods and bads of both industries.
How did it go? Did you end up making the jump? How do you feel about it?
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