Taking a break after two years?

At the end of the day investment banking is just a J-O-B. Do what makes you happy. I personally do it so I can provide a better life for my family down the road...not so I can brag on the oasis about my bank being better or higher in the league tables. If you want to join the peacecorps, go for it. Who cares what your co-workers think.

Well, alot of people look at Bschool as a "break." Yeah, you study, but you also have happy hours, social gatherings, set your own hours, and no bosses. And like you said, almost ANY job is a break after being an analyst.

I was more of a "marine corps" type than "peace corps", but yes, I'd strongly encourage you to consider it. One, it sounds like what you really have an interest in doing. Second, if you decide to apply to business school, it will only enhance your application. Third, and most importantly, it will color your worldview, and your approach to your career for the rest of your life.

I've been thinking about doing the same (down to the PC business advising part; also a first-year analyst now). Would probably try to get my recommendations in spring 2008 before I head off. From the advice I got, I don't think it would hurt your career prospects as long as you're able to explain your choice well (to "color your worldview," get more international experience, etc.) in your job interviews during b-school. Message me if you want to discuss more.

I was thinking the same thing. My plan was to do the analyst stint for 2-3 years and then spend a couple of months traveling the world, taking language courses, etc. Would it be feasible to try to come back as an associate after your break (sort of like a deferred direct promote), or would you have to go back to b-school to come on as an associate?

Same question as gq but with regards to PE/HF (assuming I get a job, which is a huge assumption), how would they react if I told them I'm taking off to see the world for 3-4 months) ?

When I was in .Central Europe I met an ex BB analyst who took off after receiving his first year bonus. He hated the lifestyle and after b-day had plenty of money to support the world tour he had always dreamed of doing. He had no regrets.

It's really very simple -

What do you want out of life? If you take a break it won't be a major hinderence if you are any good and assuming you come back to a half decent economy.

In the grand scheme of life 2 - 5 year's isnt a whole lot.

Personally I think it would be a shame not to pursue your dreams because you lack the balls to put yourself out of your comfort zone (Career wise)

holyvat: in my opinion, your question is valid, but your approach in the formation of this concern is (with all due respect) very childish.

this is your life, in two years, your friends will be "ahead" of what? Of you? of your bank account? your prestige? who cares where other people are now, or where they will be in 2 years.

Fact- there will always be people above you, and also below you. if your friends have an extra 200-500K...let them have it, they paid for it with their time.

They will sacrifice a limited resource (time) for something potentially infinite (money)in our day and age.

In the end, YOU are responsible for every decision you make and every step you take.

I heard you can delay your acceptance to b-school by up to two years. Would it be possible to spend 2 years banking, maybe 2 years in PE, get accepted to B-School and then take a year off? Does anyone know if b-school delays are contingent upon working? I would love to work for 4 years and then take a break before B-School assuming it did not disqualify me for top level schools.

Compared to banking (or almost any job) MBA is a break.

Most schools don't release grades, so all you have to do is pass.

I'm a super competitive person. I was really bad about getting A's in undergrad, and while I had fun I always worried about my grades and that psychologically took it's toll.

Fortunately, a few years of work opened my eyes to the fact that getting a B vs. an A with an occasional C doesn't mean damn thing in the long run or really even the short run.

With no grades being released anyway, let loose for your MBA. I went ballistic. I don't think there was single exam that I didn't go out drinking the night before, and I mean out til 4 and 5AM for 9AM exams. Yeah my GPA was lower than my undergrad, but who cares?

In fact, I don't even know what my MBA GPA is because I've never checked the grades from my last 2 semesters.

Ignore the anal, competitive people who frown on your fun-loving ways. They're just jealous that they can't relax.

You never lose that competitive streak, just apply it to things that matter like getting jobs and kicking ass when you start work again.

From my B-school research, I didn't find any schools that would grant an admission deferal except in the case of military call-up or serious medical reasons. I was surprised and somewhat disappointed by this, but really it makes sense. Apply when you are ready to attend.

Also, I've never heard of getting promoted to associate (direct) after taking time off. I would imagine it can happen, but you might have to know someone pretty high up.

I agree with Alexey. Kick ass and take names when it matters, not necessarily all the time.

Anyone know of any "must-do" things in Nicaragua? Heading there in a week or two.

Why take a break for such a long time? You will be bored after a few months of doing nothing. I would rather look for a new job after 2 years where you would be considered for Associate and then take off 1 month before you start to refresh. One of my buddies who now works for Onex took off 1 month and traveled to Asia/South Africa going scuba diving and mountain climbing.

Not sure though how you would sell your need for 1 month off to the new employer.

I agree that taking time off (more than a year) is a good idea in theory, but how easy would it be to get back into the job market and how would you go about re-entering the job market? I would assume taking 1+ years off also means sacrificing the exit opps offered by headhunters?

The thing about I-Banking is that you lose all perspective. You work so much you don't even have time to question whether or not your sacrificing some of your best years for a few extra grand. Yeah, every now and then you sit back and take a moment but then it's pulled out from under you and another year goes by and all you have is a check and little recollection of what you accomplished outside of your J-O-B. Taking time off is great because unless you're one of the few who truly gets off on this stuff you'll be miserable if you never take the time to look around and maybe find what you truly want to do or at least enjoy much more. I'm a firm believer that if you're smart enough (streetwise & bookwise) to get into a BB firm you should be smart enough to figure out how to make the same money doing something you actually enjoy and in fewer hours. You don't have to start the next Google; I know plenty of people who have started furniture companies, breweries, and staircase manufacturers (!) and are worth $10MM - $200MM. Maybe not the next Bill Gates but ~10MM - $200MM is not bad.

JohnMalcolm, I couldn't agree more. Have you pulled this move off yet or what stage of this plan are you in? Are you an analyst?

I don't know what makes you guys think the Peace Corps will be a "break". I knew a handful of kids at my MBA program from the Peace Corps, and they worked their asses of. In shite conditions. Living in house made of cow shit for a year, trying to not get hepatitis, malaria, or the HIV, eating rice and rotten bread all day, etc. isn't exactly my idea of a break....

Check out "TechnoServe"

http://www.technoserve.org/

I'd take an entry level tour guide job with Abercrombie & Kent and get free trips to Europe, Africa etc.

I'm too old to "rough it" as a Peace Corp. :-)

Why not just chill on a beach in Costa Rica instead of trying to help wretched, third world masses ?

Oh right, I forgot about B-School, good idea guys...