Quitting WSO?

Been here since high school. I will never quit this website. Once I surpass Steve Schwarzman and become the biggest BSD on the street I'll still be here shit posting and answering/asking legitimate questions. I actually find WSO to be entertaining, maybe that's sad but it is true.

I think once I make it into PE i'll drop off

I switched out of the fields covered by WSO but come back on in hopes to help others with unusual paths and browse interesting threads

WSO gives you the perspective and, if you are networking hard enough, leads. So, it can definitely help you break into whatever industry/vertical you are targeting. Once you are in, you are using it for your navigation until you find your own direction. Once you are there, you might use it for entertainment for the time being. And then, like all sustained communities, you pay back by helping people who are at the point where you once stood and WSO helped you out. 

Is it necessary? Maybe. Maybe, not. But, it would definitely be worth the gratification. 

Congrats on your offer! I'll probably still drop in now and again just cause there have been some AMAZING advice threads not just career-wise but also life as well -  a function of people in finance being generally hardworking and smart. brofessor, milton friedchickenman, CRE, lloyd, etc. are some off the top of my head

A few of my favorites

Best comment: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/dream-power-couple-md-banker-wife-vp-pe-husband

https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/a-must-read-for-current-undergrads-and-interns-your-first-job-doesnt-matter

Any Simple As... (ER/HF) or RedHat (S&T/PropTrad) threads

Debates (diversity, politics, education, etc.) - I find these fun to engage with but maybe not for everyone though

General shitposts - some are pretty funny ngl

I have met a few people here offline and made a few friends through it too. 

It's a good way to get the perspective of potential hires and how to build out your hiring funnel or learn more about a specific niche. 

Don't forget you are here forever.jpg. 

Apparently posting pics is broken atm. 

  If you must quit, then go out like a boss

Where is @Dick Fuld when you need him??

It ebbs and flows, but there has been a ton of content over the years that has been extremely valuable to myself in broadening my perspective on the industry itself as well as getting insights into areas you might not otherwise. There's not many times that someone like, I guess it was Blackhat, details the process for thinking through an investment thesis or idea at a hedge fund on a Tuesday afternoon (look it up if you haven't - some fantastic posts). 

Same with many others - I swear I could run an RE firm after diving into that forum on here (Note: I couldn't, so no one should worry). I haven't, admittedly, developed a network through here or gone to any of the meetups as I wasn't in a city locale for many years of my early career... but it's on this list. 

I think people do themselves a disservice by not being an active participant in this community, or others, as they develop and build their professional career. I wish I had gotten involved in a more meaningful way far earlier in my career. 

Thanks everyone, we're trying :-)  For those long term superusers, thank you for sticking with us and adding so much value!

I really enjoy the website, and continue to use it (kind of a guilty pleasure), but sometimes I tell myself that I should get off of it. Spending to much time on here makes you believe that finance is the only way to secure the bag/live a happy life, when in reality, the majority of high earners are in fact, not in finance.....

I'll continue to use the website though lol

I first came to the site when it was new and I was in an MBA program not deemed the magic "target" (I think was still ibankingoasis at the time), I got really useful advice on how to network and even do a "road show" to NYC and get informational interviews. Ending up getting a very small boutique i-banking job, and probably came back to this site at random times, mainly during moments I was considering jobs and wanted to search for info on the firm.

During COVID, i've decided to spend some time answering questions (mainly in the RE forum, as it is my industry/field) as part of away to give back and use time otherwise spent on trains and airplanes before. I will probably try and stay more active even when travel resumes, but who knows. 

I do think it will be interesting to see what this site is like when all the 'prospects' move up in 10-20 years to senior mngt, I think it is fun if people stay connected, but I can also understand why people drop off. I mean, I probably went 3-5 years at times I didn't look once. Still, just think, a large part of the of future EVP/MD types will have probably read the threads on WSO and some will have been active commentators, think about that! 

I've been on this site since high school. Started posting in college off and on. Took a break when I was grinding. Came back around shutdown out of boredom and a little anxiety. 

I used it in college (started maybe 4 years ago?) and through all of the information about job and internship stuff, I actually started to kinda like the community. I found myself posting in off topic more and treated it as kind of a subreddit with a twist. There are a lot of users on here who I like and kind of know their opinions on stuff so I enjoy seeing what they have to say on many of the topics that come up, as well as the opinions of a people a few years behind me. Breaking into the industry was very hard for me, so I like to give back to other people who are having a tough time. Plus, I have experience in a semi-niche space in IB and feel that when questions about healthcare and biopharma IB come up, I can actually help, and always try to do so.

Former IB analsyst --> now out of industry. WSO has 0 functional career use for me anymore. I do find it cathartic to give my 2 cents wherever I think i have some expertise or former experience in though

Still here, just lurking after all this time!

Been a member since probably sophomore year of College (so like 7 years ago) and I'll continue to peruse this website for probably the rest of my career. Try and give back wherever possible. The only way this site retains its efficacy is by retaining professionals, and not just being a haven for prospective high schoolers. So, I urge you to try and remain involved even after you've secured a FT role. 

"I'm not fucking leaving." 

It's been useful for sure and I intend to stay. It's helped me a lot for a variety of reasons, but it's also an interesting way to sometimes hear about the industry overall. The Off Topic forum can sometimes feel like getting drunk with your friends, but there's a lot of dimes in there for good info and smart arguments.