It might not be worth it

Hi All -

This forum has been a huge help to me over the last 5+ years as I've tried figuring out what it is I wanted to do with my life. As a background, I got an undergrad degree in finance from a non-target school but lucked into a decently paying job as a Financial Analyst for a large oil company. The job bored me so I left and got my MsF at a semi-target. While there, I networked and networked and got a killer opportunity to work at a small hedge fund as a generalist, supporting our L/S equity product. Got to bypass the sell-side completely.

The work was tough; expectations were even tougher. And I've always been one that's been able to rise to the occasion. But for some reason, I just couldn't. I was unhappy. I put on weight, drank more, had a crappy diet, and stopped exercising. It got so bad that I ultimately had to go see someone to try and get my head on straight again. Her professional opinion was that I needed to separate myself from the situation.

I luckily found another role in the FP&A group of a large oil company. I'll be destined to be middle class for the rest of my life, and I'm okay with that. My mental health and wellness are improving and I feel like myself again. And I think that's worth it.

My point to sharing this? Everyone on this forum works their absolute tail off for their next step. Work ethic from the people here is not in question. But I just wanted to share my experience that the grass is not definitively greener. And don't sacrifice yourself and your well-being in the process. It might not be worth it.

Sincerely,
A Textbook Burnout