Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
This question is about investment banker jobs.
Are investment bankers happy?
No, investment bankers are not happy for the most part. In fact, investment bankers rate their career happiness 2.7 out of 5 stars, which puts them in the bottom 9% of careers, according to a 2021 U.S. News study. That's not to say, however, that there are not investment bankers who enjoy their work, and especially the high earning potential that is associated with this career.
Despite having a low career happiness rating, investment banking remains one of the top career choices for new graduates; investment banking tends to tempt many. The allure of a six-figure salary in your early 20s and being immersed in Wall Street culture can be enticing when you're fresh out of business school. However, to make it as an investment banker requires an incredible amount of hard work and can take years off of your life.
Investment banks are notorious for their demanding hours, with 100-hour work weeks being the norm for entry-level investment banking analysts. In fact, not too long ago 3 investment bankers died after working several years working 100-hour weeks. In response, some banks have tried to reduce the number of hours junior investment bankers work.
Here's a typical workday for an investment banking analyst: the analyst works frantically into the night and wee hours of the morning to complete a pitch book, rushes home in the morning to shower and change, and then heads straight back to the office for the meeting.
In such high-pressure situations where there are multiple competing deadlines, the ability to not just cope, but thrive under pressure, is extremely important and not for the faint of heart. You must spend years putting in your time in order to climb up the investment banking ladder.
Overall, investment banking can provide individuals with an exciting and challenging career path, but it may not be suitable for everyone. The demanding work culture, long hours, and high-pressure environment can take a toll on individuals who are not well-suited to these conditions.
However, for those who are motivated by financial rewards and are willing to work hard, investment banking can be a fulfilling and rewarding career choice.
Choose from 10+ customizable resume templates
Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.
