Looking back 10 years ago, when I first started in corporate finance work, I’d be pretty impressed with myself and where I got to. Despite the most hacksaw education possible, I managed to land in management at a TSX 60 company, running corporate debt and investments worth billions. My salary is solid now, with all-in comp exceeding my ambitions for myself at 40+, let alone 30. I probably make much more than most of the ER guys here. But I’ve increasingly felt over the past few years that I’m in the wrong game, that finance isn’t the answer for my long term life satisfaction. I’ve switched jobs twice in the past three years. I did a stint in a very academically focused, for the public good, sort of role. Hated it. While the people were smarter the pace was so slow. Then I took a much higher profile gig at this top firm. It’s starting to really grind on me. The corporate drama. The incompetent people everywhere. It’s insanity. My life increasing feels like Office Space. So I want out. I don’t want to go to work to execute the plans of lesser minds. I don’t want to sit here on the weekend worrying about my book or my liquidity. It’s not my money. I honestly just want to tune it all off. It takes away from where my focus should be, on my family and my health. I see the people ahead of me in the org chart and I despise how they’ve sold themselves out to the corporate vision and sacrifice so much for a heartless entity that wouldn’t hesitate for half a second to punt their asses to the curb. It’s disgusting. At this point, I’m not sure where I will go, other than its going to be out of the business. This is my New Years resolution, if you will. Thankfully we are a solid two income house, and we live far under our means… We can survive off one income indefinitely with no lifestyle impact. So we have flexibility. But I do still like making serious coin, so at some point (sooner, not later), I’d like to build back up to this level of income. It will be hard to walk away after investing 10 years in this career path, but the thought of sitting in that office for the rest of my life plugging away for a mindless corporation of brain dead syncophants is far more disturbing. Maybe I make another switch to another firm, try working for maybe a small outfit or start up… As a last test of my interest in staying with finance. Or maybe I do like Itera and I have joked about here for years: become a plumber. Who knows. But the resolution remains, something needs to give. I start working towards a new direction today. It’s not so much the subject matter of finance that turns me off… I’m still deeply interested in markets and I’ll continue to invest and research for my own book. But the work environment in your typical corporate finance group, and even worse, what I see from bankers, is just not my cup of tea anymore. Anyone else sick of the grind in this field? Sick of the corporate drama? Anyone try to bail out and come back? How do career switchers shake the golden handcuffs?
Is there a TLDR version?
How much do you make? Like in actual dollars.
All-in about $200k. Base + pension + target incentives.
Dissatisfied with career path, want out. How to make the jump and what pitfalls are out there.
the grass always looks greener elsewhere. I’d say if you just dislike it, might be best to stick with it. If you really are at wits end, and truly hate it, then switch.
But jumping to whatever new thing you are thinking about, you’ll most likely take a decent cut.
This is my biggest fear. Moving and tossing away a ton of cash for something I may like even less than where I am at. It’s why I’ll go to work Monday morning.
ineptitude, incompetence, sociopaths, these kinds of people exist in every type of business and you are not young enough to join a fledging corporation where the mark zuckerbergs etc have done away with this. besides, you’ll have to contest with the bright young minds, and to be quite honest they are sometimes scarily intelligent (+/- loose cannons with no social programming). On the other hand you might join something that looks fresh and interesting only to be working with people who are not in your level. your ambition prevents you from lasting long at these sorts of places. $200k+ in calgary where you’re settled is a good place to be man. I get that you might hate the people you’re surrounded by but it doesn’t sound like you know what you want to do and where you want to end up either. You need to do a lot of feasibility research before changing. I say stick with it, even if you hate the job at least you got the money - lots of people have neither.
Any kids in the picture? What’s the wife think?
Best of luck to you geo.
Geo, I trade you… you teach me to get into finance given “the most hacksaw education possible”… and I’ll teach you how to make 6 figures working 40 hours a week as a professional pretty/ charming person 
hahahahahah
My formula was simple. Take the crappiest job, any job, and work 110%. I’m not pretty or charming so no trade. 
I’m not going to just flip the boss the bird on Monday, I’ll go to work and continue to hustle like always. Just saying I want to start working towards a transition plan in short order. Maybe I try another firm (easier said than done in Cowtown right now) first. But I don’t know, I’ve tried that move a few times and I just can’t find any fulfilment in the work. Yes, we have a kid. But like I said money isn’t tight. We have no debt other than a very small mortgage payment. We could survive fine off a few Home Depot salaries. Obviously that isn’t the plan, but finances aren’t a huge constraint. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to make alot of money, I want to have the freedom to do as I please sooner rather than later. Wife is 100% supportive. She’s a professional as well that made a big career move just a few years back, successfully. She’d rather me make a few less bucks for awhile in exchange for me not pouting every Sunday evening reading the new job postings.
Solid advice I hope no matter what you do you continue to build and share your wealth of knowledge. It is appreciated.
^ I literally started scanning invoices in payables and worked up to a capital markets position in the same firm. So that advice isn’t empty. Take a job and get noticed. That’s all there is. Hard work and competency is rewarded. There aren’t any short cuts via more credentials or what not.
Wait…that’s like $25,000 USD right?
Before doing anything I’d take some time to ‘learn your why’. Sounds gay but until you can identify your purpose in life you won’t know ahead of time what direction will make you happy. I tout Mark Divine’s work every chance I get because it helped me make the leap from a shitty job that carried the same financial rewards as yours, with promises of becoming a partner. But the founder of the company is a deplorable human being and I found out through some deep soul searching that I’m not cut out to be an employee especially in an organization with questionable values. So I left, started an investment company, have zero revenue but am chasing a bunch of opportunities. It will take years to get back to my comp at my old job, and another 3-4 months to make the first dollar, but I couldn’t be happier. My family is very happy with my decision because I am happy around them and have much more time with them. Everything else will take care of itself.
Heres a book I think you should check out:
Delete…
Truth.
It is when you have kids in the picture