Is FT as fun as the SA experience?

Hi,

I summered in S&T at a BB last summer, and had a fantastic time. I rotated at a lot of different desks, met new people all the time, learned a ton, had a lot of fun with the other SAs as well as some of the FT analysts, and very much enjoyed the experience of chasing that at the time seemingly unreachable full time offer (which I did eventually receive).

Anyhow, because of all this I kept very fond memories of my summer experience and felt a very strong emotional connection with the bank I worked at. Now that in a few months I'll start working there full-time, I'm suddenly not so sure anymore. I've been placed at a desk now, so I'll probably sit side by side with the same 4-5 people all the time, and I'll also get much less variety in the work I'll be doing. Which makes me wonder, for the people, especially traders, who joined the bank they summered at full-time after graduation: did you have a similar experience during your summer? And how did the FT experience measure up against that? Was it less/more fun and exciting, and why? Do you feel a sense of nostalgia when thinking back about your summer?

Sorry for the weird question, but I really want to know other people's thoughts on this.

 
Best Response

I'm impressed you managed to enjoy getting beasted for a summer so much.

Facts of life: (i) work is never fun unless you are an athlete/ Leo di Caprio's character from Blood Diamond/some other fantasy profession. It's work. (ii) As a FT employee your responsibilities increase, people will expect you to get things right,and do it quickly. (iii) There is no end in sight. Part of the reason people enjoy their internships is because they end. The end is always in sight, and you go back to sweet lifing it as a student with the prospect of cash in your account, more cash to come, and relatively decent future proespects.

In terms of some of what you asked, much like dating a girl long term, sitting next to the same 4-5 people can be very rewarding. Keeping the analogy, you pass through the "excited to be with you stage" very quickly. These people become your fellow foot soldiers. You will spend more time bithching and moaning with them than anyone else. If you like them and get on, it is very likely they will be good friends for life.

As much as I write in somewhat jest, it is initially good to feel that people trust you and that you're learning and making progress. It is part of life. Before you were a student and were treated essentially as a muppet, now you're full time, totally different ball game. So to sum up, your experience will not be too close to what you had in summer at all. You're a different person with different responsibilities, doesn't mean it is terrible and worse, just part of moving on and broadening your skills.

 

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