What should I do? - Started summer 09 as an analyst

So I started summer 09 as an analyst in equities sales at a top-tier BB. I had interned on the same desk the year before and thought I would like it. But basically I am coming to realize that I don't. I just didn't know that it was going to be like that. I don't feel like I am learning anything really, I am just a glorified secretary who has to get people's breakfast and lunches. So now that my first year will be over soon and I look back, I am really starting to think if I should look around for other opportunities. I don't exactly hate my current job (yet), but I am definitley worried on where this is going to get me down the road. I would say 90% of my day is spent doing stupid admin tasks (total random stuff, anything that you can imagine) and I don't really get to learn about the markets. And I also feel like the senior people on the desk don't really care about my development either, they are happy with me just doing what I am doing and taking care of their s**t.....because even when I ask my boss to take on a more meaningful role, he basically just says that ne needs me to do more of "fill in randmon admin stuff". So I think they don't even want me to move up, but after two years they can just let me go and hire someone else to do this random admin stuff that I am doing.....
Also, mind you, I have a masters degree, so I have absolutley zero interest of continuing to do this for another 2 years!! Further, I don't know what hours are like in sales normally, but for me, I have to come in by 6am and there are many days when I don't get to leave before 10 or 11pm. The earliest I have ever left was 8pm....and that was Christmas. Vacation? I haven't taken even one day so far...
Also, what were stub bonuses for first year analysts like this year? I would be curious to compare...

What would you do in my situation? Would you quit? Can anyone who is/was in equities sales shed some light on whether this is normal and I should stick it out....or should I rather get out as quickly as I can?

Any comments would be appreciated, thanks!

 

I'm not in Sales, but I think you should try to stick it out. If you bail now this question of why you left is always going to come up. Plus, while the labor market is getting better, it's still a brutal fight out there. Give it another year and with a masters degree and a 2 yr BB stint under your belt, you'll be very competitive for something more "fulfilling". The hours do sound harsh though!!

 

I say if you eventually want to have the same job and responsibilities that the senior guys have one day I would definitely stick it out. Those hours do seem very excessive, and I've never heard of anyone in S&T working Christmas but there is no way it could be like that forever. Having said that, if it was me I'd try to get on a different equally as good BB's equity sales desk (but if that wasn't possible I'd stick out the current situation, it will eventually get better - it's not unheard of for new analyst to be "glorified secretaries". Also I don't see how relevant a masters degree is unless it's an MBA). Good luck and hang in there.

 

Thanks all, that's pretty good advice....I wasn't really thinking of quitting like right away...only if I have something else lined up. I will probably give it another year and see how things evolve and then make a decision at that point. I hope the hours will get better in the 2nd year maybe...I am not working in the US and we cover different markets with difffernt hours (and different public holidays...). And for those who asked, my Master degree is in finance...feels like a waste of time doing it in retrospect....but what's done is done.

 

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