My Favorite Things about Wall Street

People hate Wall Street. It's just a fact. On the outside we are a bunch of brash, narcissistic, douchebags who make far too much money. I can't say that I can argue with those adjectives, but I still love Wall Street. There's just something about the culture, the people, and the work that's mesmerizing. Where else can a 27 year old be trusted to work on billion dollar deals, and have their input actually matter? A lot of my friends think I just party all the time, because I show up at home shtfaced at least 3 times a week. Again, I can't argue with that, but they don't understand the great deal of stress I'm under from 8-7 everyday (i know, short hours).

I ask my friends all the time "Do you ever sit back and think....Wow, I have a great life?" A lot of them say "no", but all of my friends that work on Wall Street say "yes". Even the ones that don't necessarily like their jobs feel like they have it made. That got me thinking as to why that is. What makes Wall Street such a special place? I decided to put my list together...

1. The People-
You will have the chance to meet people from all over the World. Not only people from your firm, but from the firms you deal with. On an average day I talk to over 25 different people, all of whom have a story to tell. Some grew up in NYC, went to Harvard, and got a Wharton MBA. Some grew up in South Africa, went to school in London, and now live in Toronto. The connections you will make on Wall Street are second to none, and most people will have no problem helping each other out.

2. The Work
This stuff is interesting. Dealing with hundreds of millions of dollars is fascinating in more ways than one. Wall Street will always evolve and improve. New things will be securitized and new deals will be made. You will have the chance to specialize in something, and become very, very good at it.

3. The Culture
Work hard, play hard. I have never seen so many hardworking, talented people enjoy life to the fullest. I have bosses and bosses' bosses that still live by this rule. They joined the profession because they work harder than anyone else, but they're also total bros (for lack of a better term). We toss the football around, prank call each other, and talk about late night debochary, but we know when it's time to get sht done.

4. The Pay
Everyone knows, the pay is great. Even for those of us that complain......$90,000 as a 26 yr old is killin it in the rest of the World.

5. The Partying
This is probably wrapped up in numbers 1 and 3. Most of us love to party. It's awesome. We stay out until 3 am on a Tuesday because we can. We stay out because we want to prove that we can get up at 6am the next morning. On Wall Street friends don't let friends drink alone. There is always someone willing to get weird.

6. The Perks
Bonuses, 401(k)s, corporate suites, broker dinners, clothes, girls.

7. The Status
As much as I hate to say it, it's true. People on the street have a certain swagger about them, and that's because of their status. It's sweet when your friends have no idea what you do for a living. People will hate you, but it will just make you work even harder. It'll make you get that MBA, get those three letters next to your name (CFA), or finally make Partner.

Let's be honest, all 7 of these things are incorporated in the culture, and that's why I love Wall Street. If you are going into this field you need to understand what it takes and what others make think of you. If you can do that you will fit right in, and hopefully feel the way I do about the profession. To steal one from How to Be a F*!king Man..."Remember, the boos always come from the cheap seats"