How would you kill 10 months of free time?

Got the offer last month for FT Analyst starting next summer. Graduated last year. I have like 10 months to do whatever I want really - was travelling but that's dead now. Looking for some suggestions of what to do before I start. Off-cycle? Attempt to travel? Gym? Black out every night? Do something completely different?

Any takes welcome. What would you do?

 

Go do something that you need a long period off for. Some that I have heard of are the obvious Europe / Asia trips, road trip to US national parks (hit Yosemite, Yellowstone, Tetons, etc.), hiking the Appalachian trail, living in Vail as a ski instructor for the winter, tons of cool ideas. It is highly unlikely that you have this amount of time off later in your life, so take advantage of it. You get hammered and lift weights while you work; obviously still sprinkle in getting hammered and keep hitting the gym but don't do ONLY that. It's also a solid time to learn a language, instrument or build a new hobby.

 

Was thinking of ski season but can't actually ski. I've got a friend who was thinking of heading out so maybe I'll get in touch with him. Cheers

 

I would prefer to start early but bank is still figuring headcount given Covid. Grateful for the offer but starting in Jan would be ideal for me. HR is aware so we'll see

 
Most Helpful

I wouldn't suggest starting early unless you need the money. I was in a similar situation and a lot of my plans got cancelled due to Covid but here's what I wish I did:

- Travel, go with all your friends (maybe its a weekend when they're not in class, you go to Napa or its 2 months in Australia and NZ). If you're into traveling alone, then you should def prioritize going international

- Go to every social event in college (assuming you're a current senior). It's really easy when you're just chilling every day to get used to being a bum

- Do info calls for on-cycle, try to figure out exactly what you like and want to focus on when recruiting comes. Also at least be able to do 3 hour modelling tests before you hit the desk, will make life way less stressful and you'll be ahead of your peers. If there's only one productive thing you do in the next year, its this.

- Maybe take the GMAT? It's easy to knock out when you have free time like rn when you cant travel but also would be hard to study for if you were working in IB/PE and wanted to leave for B-school

 

I have actually graduated already and this was from a masters degree in Europe. Otherwise I would literally just go out every night (aka my first degree). I also don't think I'll be needing the GMAT since business school is not really for me - but thanks for the suggestions! I wanted to travel but Covid is really messing with my plans...

 

I really want to quit my job for a bit, take my time cramming for L1 of the CFA, and then take a long road trip (even though it'll be the start of winter then).

Quant (ˈkwänt) n: An expert, someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing.
 

Study for the GMAT and try to get it out of the way while you have this free time. It's crazy, but you probably won't ever see 10 months of free time. Just do what you like, but make sure to not get used to being lazy. It'll be harder on you to hit the desk running if you get used to a shitty work ethic.

 

Voluptatem quae aut minus odio qui modi laudantium. Quis asperiores aliquid et sint porro. Provident sit iusto eos praesentium dolor id quisquam laboriosam.

 

Voluptates quia illo necessitatibus dolores ex iure occaecati vero. Optio voluptatum laborum consectetur illum nulla. Harum modi et minus nemo ipsum maiores voluptas ut. Quae autem cupiditate reiciendis adipisci quae.

Saepe consequatur odit est. Est aut deserunt odio molestias incidunt esse. Exercitationem similique aut quia maxime enim est molestiae nulla. Rerum et quibusdam ut repellendus. Sint modi commodi sint possimus autem.

Culpa aperiam alias ipsam deserunt nisi eos ea. Eligendi quia autem quia voluptas illo omnis. Reprehenderit at temporibus porro molestiae non dolorem temporibus. Rerum officiis quod eligendi iure alias distinctio vel cumque.

Id asperiores enim eos. Rem omnis veniam aut corrupti voluptas. Et deserunt modi aperiam. Et iure neque modi voluptatum maxime animi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”