26, no kids or debt, making 175k/Yr - miserably bored at work and want to work for a startup. In the size startups I want for the role I want I’d have to take 50% pay cut Thoughts?

If you can make it work off of a lower salary, then you should go for it. You may take a pay cut now, but you will most likely receive stock options. If the start up is actually a viable idea then you will see a return on the investment of sweat equity later and may be more then the salary you would have received if you get in early enough (in the event the company is acquired or the company goes public), but will have to forgo the immediate salary compensation. There are also alternative options to sell the shares of stock you may receive to niche liquid Venture Capital firms (again if the idea and the numbers add up). My dad is the CFO of one where he buys secondary stock from individuals (just one of his many sources). They do this later stage though. Start ups are risky because many fail, but the experience of trying to start and scale something is extremely valuable and unique. Go for it.

What a post!!! Let me try some hypothetical numbers and you all can correct me. Within the top 5% of population (who make 6 figure salaries), probably 1% of that who are in consulting, .5% of that posted their salaries - and few people are looking at their salaries and judging their lives. I am 43, making 150 base, was making 75 when I was 25, back in the days. If all went per my plan, I prob wud have made double or even triple my current. We have had our situations and to everyone, their own. No regrets, I lived as much as I can. I can jump back into consulting and make prob 200 and then sky is the limit. But having kids doesn't make it easy feasible. Make your own lemonades guys. Dont judge or get judged. To those who are making the big moolah, I can only say 2 things - 1) great job, tough to beat those numbers, 2) enjoy the money when you can, give when you can and follow your dreams when you can

You probably have a nice chunk of change in savings ....follow your dream my friend #yolo

I worked for startup and left it for consulting. Don’t work for the startup unless you’re passionate about what they do. If you’re just trying to treat boredom, there are other things you can do

Where in the world do you make that much at 26?

1) are you single?
2) are you female

If your answers are positive to both, I'll make a great house husband

You’re making nearly 200k a year as a consultant and you’re asking a bunch of consultants what to do if you’re bored 😂 go have a kid fuq it

To quote catwoman from Batman returns: “you’re overpaid, hit the road” ;)

Oh. To be bored... I work too much to be bored

Boohoo all you whiners raking in the dough and feeling bored. Boohoo

If this is your dream job go for it. But don’t take the risk for the sake of taking the risk. The grass isn’t always greener.

I was in a similar boat where I was working in finance making a lot of money and not necessarily in love with my job. I was bitten by the startup bug and joined one, while taking a big pay cut to do so.

It ended up being a disaster. I was way oversold on the role and ended up having far less responsibility than I thought and it was a far cry from the dream job I thought I was walking into. I developed serious misgivings with the direction and vision of the company and the impact we were making on the world and felt powerless to do anything about it. And the fact that I had sacrificed a huge chunk of money to end up at a fledgling startup kept gnawing and gnawing at me as a constant source of regret.

Life goes on and fortunately for me I ended up applying to and being accepted to a great business school which will help me pivot back into doing what I was doing before joining the startup. With that said I definitely sacrificed a lot financially for no good reason and would take it back in a heartbeat if I could.

A lot of my issues were very specific to the particular startup I was at, but I’ve talked to others since and I’m not the only person who had an experience like this. I’m not saying you flat out shouldn’t do it, but you need to understand the risks of what you’re getting into and get comfortable with the fact that you are making a sacrifice that you may later regret.

OP what form are you at?! That’s impressive!

I’m 29 and make >$300k. Also bored. 🤦🏼‍♂️

How? I am 30 - around 7 years of experience and making $120k!

You’re 26 - no kids - now is the time to take chances before your life situation changes and your options become limited

Thoughts are I hate you because I’m 34 with debt and kids and make $90k lol. But I would do whatever fires you up

Set aside “work for a startup” for a few minutes and really determine your purpose

I’m 27 pulling 160k and am bored out of my mind.. although I don’t think a start up would solve my problem. I’m thinking maybe cyber sales or cyber recruiting

RB1 not that crazy..that’s 5 years out of college. M1/M2 at EY make up to $140k-$150k. Idk about Lighthouse (maybe they’re high end boutique like Parthenon) but if OP is at a T2 firm, $175k after 5 years isn’t even remotely crazy

I have taken two pay cuts in my career to move to new opportunities I was passionate about and felt would give me new skills which would serve me well longer term. In both cases I was making more than I had been one year into the new roles as I demonstrated my value. Assuming you are a high performer the money will come. But as another mentioned only move for a passionate role or you will regret the pay too much

Parthenon at the start of your 4th year (consultant promotion) would be 170k base so it’s def not unusual