M&A vs DCM/ECM, I want to have a life outside banking.

Hi,

I am doing a master's in Econ at a target school, and went to the same school for undergrad. Finally decided to bite the bullet and go into finance, but can't decide which division. From what I can tell from research and from my network, M&A analyst is boring and the hours are horrendous, but the skills you get make it worth it. I do not want to burn out (been there before) but feel M&A could be worth it as my long-term career plan is vague. However, looked at DCM/ECM (leaning towards DCM) but am afraid that I'll not like it, but be stuck due to lack of transferable skills. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you already burned out before, do NOT go into IB... how do you think you gonna react when you work 80-100 hrs per week ?

M&A you build more skills and have more personal impact, ECM you have little personal impact as the IPO matrix is larger but deals are generally bigger. 
 

M&A hours are the longest.

No clue about DCM, but strategically probably the least interesting of all 3. More capital structure exposure though 

 
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