Was It Worth It?

[clatoden99]

What is it like to leave an investment banking / Wall Street career (after 10+ years) to do something different? What did you switch to? If you took a big pay-cut, was it worth it?

[disneysteve]

Interesting question. I have no personal experience but I did know one guy who was a bond trader on Wall Street for years and left that career and became a pharmaceutical sales rep. He just felt burned out by the stress and pressure of working in that environment, dealing with other people's money, etc. I don't know how he made out long-term but when we were in touch, he was far happier. He loved being out in the field, talking with doctors, and doing something that was far less stressful.