CareerChange #FinanceBurnout #NewBeginnings
Feeling Stuck in Finance? You’re Not Alone
If you find yourself saying, "I absolutely hate this shit," specifically about your finance career, you’re not alone. Many individuals enter the finance world expecting high returns on investment (ROI) with minimal effort compared to fields like medical, law, or STEM. However, the reality often paints a different picture.
Why Finance Feels Like a Mistake 🏦
Many finance professionals joined the industry for the perceived easy ROI. Here are some common grievances:
- Monotonous Conversations: Endless chats about finance that lack genuine interest.
- Networking Nightmare: Pretending to care about coffee chats to potentially secure a job.
- Interview Frustrations: Being asked irrelevant questions like the infamous "How many tennis balls can fit in an airplane?" which add little value to the actual job performance.
The Ego Problem 😒
Finance can often inflate egos. Here are a few reasons why:
- Same Backgrounds: Everyone seems to have the same experiences and interests, like weekend golfing trips.
- False Superiority: People who were formerly classmates now act superior after landing a boutique investment banking job.
Where to Pivot with a Finance Degree?
A finance degree offers a versatile skill set that can be transferred to multiple fields. Here are some potential pivots:
- Tech Industry: Many tech companies value financial acumen for roles in business development, product management, and operations.
- Consulting: Your analytical skills and financial knowledge are crucial for consulting roles.
- Entrepreneurship: Use your finance background to start your own venture.
- Nonprofits: Finance roles in nonprofit organizations can offer a rewarding change of pace.
- Education: Teaching finance at community colleges or offering online courses.
Steps to Take for a Successful Pivot 🚀
- Self-Assessment: Evaluate what you dislike about finance and what you enjoy.
- Skill Gap Analysis: Identify any new skills you need for your target industry.
- Networking: Reach out to industry professionals via LinkedIn or industry-specific forums.
- Additional Courses: Consider online courses to fill skill gaps.
- Resume Overhaul: Tailor your resume to highlight transferable skills.
Making the Most Out of Networking 🌐
Networking doesn’t have to be dreadful. Here are some tips to make it more effective and enjoyable:
- Authenticity: Be genuine in your interactions.
- Selective Attendance: Only attend events that interest you.
- Quality over Quantity: Focus on making a few meaningful connections rather than many superficial ones.
Conclusion
If you find yourself saying, "I absolutely hate this shit," it’s crucial to understand that you’re not the only one. Finance can be grueling, and the expected ROI often doesn’t match reality. Fortunately, your skills are valuable in many other industries. By taking the above steps, you can successfully pivot your career and find a more fulfilling path.
Ready for a Change? 🌟
Your journey towards a new career starts now. Take the first step today and don’t look back!
Relevant Resources
- LinkedIn Learning: Offers various courses to help you pivot fields.
- Coursera: Great for acquiring new skills with certificates.
- Meetup.com: Useful for finding networking events in other industries.
You got this! 💪
Every single job, whether finance or not, will force you to answer interview questions that you deem to be ridiculous. Think of it like this: although the position might not be Goldman TMT in NYC, there are still many other applicants trying to get in. Therefore, asking these types of questions does in fact show a level of intelligence and quick thinking. Interviewers are really looking to separate candidates, and it’s not so easy when most applicants are more or less the same on paper.
This is coming from someone who has interviewed people for graduate level roles in IB
You’re mistaking finance as the culprit here. Networking, silly interview questions and ubiquitous golfing are features of every white collar industry.
You’re still in uni. You’re entirely too young to be this cynical and feel this burned out. You say these things like you’re years into a career when you haven’t even started. I get it, interviewing is exhausting but having this bad an attitude is not productive or the norm. And even if you switch away from finance, this problem will follow you.
I would advise focusing on your own needs a bit and trying to address those issues. Have you been getting good sleep? Exercising? Have healthy relationships / friendships that support you? Interests / hobbies outside school and career? Just a few questions to consider if you’re evaluating this.
Bro is me.
Everything you described isn’t exclusive to finance. You just hate networking and applying for jobs. And you can’t stand corporate personalities; which is understandable.
But all of this is present and in certain ways, even worse in other professions.
It’s good you posted this so you can get a reality check.
no need for the apostrophe in “let’s”
Everyone goes through this when theyre struggling to land.
The issue is you know (think) youre good enough but you havent proven it to anyone except yourself. Showing everyone youre good enough and better than the rest is the game. You dont score any points for calling out the bullshit, you do that by landing jobs.
Whatever industry you pursue, i suggest you pivot your thinking from how the system is bullshit and everythings stacked against you, and just focus on winning the game that everyone else is playing. You dont add to PnL by winning your own head games and playing contrarian this early in life. First you need to do the trials and landing a job, and then by adding value to the firm. Ultimately that is how you are judged.Youre working in a markets environment. You should know if the market moves against you, a no name chancer by yourself, you will be crushed.
I think this is a fun read 😂
Contemplate starting your own thing. Make sure you have things in your life you can draw on to define your identity and self-worth that aren’t your career. Family, friends, faith, and fun. If you decide not to start your own thing, job hop every two years until you find an excellent boss, and then find a way to work with that person as much as you can.
cry me a river. You thought finance was going to be an easy ride with high ROI? Welcome to the real world where nothing worth having comes without effort. You’ve tried to “swindle” 307 people for a job? Ever considered the problem might be you? Everyone looks the same and went golfing? Maybe because they know how to balance work and play, unlike you. Stop acting like a victim and start acting like a professional.
Went to tech sales for flexibility but honestly it’s just as bad if not worse; I might go back for stability