The allure of an investment banking job is undeniable, enticing starry-eyed college students with promises of executing multibillion-dollar transactions, a six-figure salary, and access to the inner sanctums of corporate power. For me, like many others, succumbing to this allure seemed inevitable.
I devoted countless hours to preparing for interviews, scheduling networking calls, and navigating the grueling recruitment process. Eventually, my efforts paid off, and I landed a coveted investment banking internship during my junior year of college, solidifying my path to a full-time role in the industry.
Initially, the internship seemed like a dream come true. The prestige, the pay, the corporate perks—all seemed worth the sacrifices. But the reality of life as an investment banking analyst was far from glamorous.
Long hours spent crafting financial models in Excel, endless PowerPoint presentations, and round-the-clock email correspondence became the norm. What was sold to me as a six-figure salary translated to a mere $25-an-hour adjusted rate when factoring in the relentless workload.
Despite the promise of upward mobility within the ranks, the atmosphere felt cutthroat and unforgiving. Witnessing colleagues lose their jobs in waves of layoffs only reinforced the sense of disposability that permeated the workplace.
Months of relentless toil culminated in a harrowing moment of reckoning one fateful Thursday morning. Overwhelmed by exhaustion and stress, I collapsed in the office, prompting an ambulance ride to the hospital. As I lay on the hospital bed, grappling with the physical and emotional toll of my ordeal, I realized that something had to change.
Returning to work after the incident, I was met with reassurances that everything would be fine—a sentiment that rang hollow in the face of systemic issues within the industry. Despite the bank’s offer of extended time off, the unspoken expectation to return to the grind loomed large.
It was a wake-up call that I couldn’t ignore. The toxic culture of overwork and burnout was not sustainable for me. With a newfound clarity, I made the difficult decision to leave banking behind.
Quitting without a solid plan in place was daunting, but I refused to sacrifice my well-being for the sake of career advancement. Embracing uncertainty, I embarked on a new path, pursuing journalism—a passion I had long neglected.
Leaving banking was a deeply personal decision, but one that I hope will spark a broader conversation about the toll of overwork in the industry. While some may thrive in the high-stakes world of investment banking, I refuse to sacrifice my health and happiness for the sake of prestige.
My departure may not have been the first, nor will it be the last, but it is a testament to the importance of prioritizing well-being over professional accolades. As I embark on this new chapter, I do so with the hope that others will find the courage to challenge the status quo and pursue careers that align with their values and aspirations.