Related Posts
More Posts
IBM or tech mahindra for same package?
Be positive be strong be present
D Cyber to Synopsys a good move?
Is anyone hiring an SEO manager in Chicago?
Additional Posts in Women In Consulting
Ladies, take note: Corona pick up lines are here.
What should I watch on Apple TV?
New to Fishbowl?
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
If you’re in consulting and plan to have two littles this may be a good time for him to transition into being a primary caregiver with scaled back career. May be a hard sell for him at the moment but something to consider
Thanks. I’ve thought about that. I think that would really devastate him. He’s put a lot of effort into his career and he’s so smart and motivated. I don’t think he’ll get a much satisfaction from that (and tbh neither would I, so it’s not a m/f thing at all)
I think it’s just because it’s a scary time for you right now. Ivy League would jump out at me. Journalism background shows good questioning, critical thinking, analyzing and communication skills. I think it would be self- defeating for him to stay home if he equates his identity to career. Don’t recommend it unless he suggests it. You may start resenting each other. MBA - business management, finance skills. Has he thought about joining a startup? Or a VC/ private equity firm?
He’s looked into VC/PE, super competitive and they’re looking for guys with like Goldman on their resume. The startup thing is interesting though...
Thanks for the encouragement! He’s been so down lately and I don’t know how to help him. He’s so smart and hard working and just like such a good person, it feels so unfair. I know not everything is fair but it still hurts.
Sorry not a helpful response but over the past few weeks I’ve seen many of these types of posts in this bowl...but have never in my life seen any posts from husbands asking how they can support wives through job loss :(
Interesting. Why do you think that is?
My husband has lost his job in academia at 44 and is now career changing to a more applied field in health sciences. It entails taking a step back, going back to school to get relevant certifications to be able to use his prior experience (he was doing cutting edge fundamental research) into a hospital setting, the whole nine yards. There is a lot of uncertainty still ahead of him (depending if he gets into his program of choice or not). But if you think that he has at least 20 years of work ahead of him, it is worth it. My role in all of it is to be supportive, calm him down in key moments, help him prep, and pay the bills while he is figuring it all out.
He’s also 37 so not a young cheap hire by any means. There’s a good chance he’ll need to start over in a new career. Has anyone done this at a later stage in their career? It feels so daunting and he also struggles with depression (it’s managed right now) so I’m worried things will spiral. He’s very career oriented and I think derives a lot of his self worth from his career. On top of that, we have a toddler and are trying to get pregnant with a second (I’m 36 so no way to delay that by much). I feel like this is a perfect storm type of situation and would appreciate any advice from this bowl! TIA ladies!
37 isn’t old at all. What industry? What are his skills - what is he best at?
He was a hedge fund analyst at an active fund, basically all the money is moving to passive management and the only people getting hired are recent MBAs or 23 year olds. He was a journalist pre-MBA so has strong qual background and good quant skills. Ivy League undergrad and MBA. He seems very employable on paper but as no big names on his resume or any significant experience in one industry. Like I can say I’ve worked in healthcare consulting for a long time, but his resume jumps around so much it seems like he’s under qualified for a bunch of stuff and overqualified for other things? Maybe I’m being overly pessimistic...
Keep being supportive - give him lots of hugs. Life is one hell of a continual roller coaster for us all and job searches suck. Just keep reminding each other you are in it together. :-)
Not sure what geo you live in - but he could do a Google search on the local business/ technology incubators - usually at tech schools. He’ll find out some of the newest tech startups. I know ATL but that may not help...
...you could also use your network to intro him into consulting/ the firms
It will burn a ton of shoe leather but there are smaller funds with the odd opening here and there if he’s keen to stay in the industry. Network like crazy and check in with ALL the MBA classmates. People get fired from buy side jobs semi regularly - its a musical chairs game to an extent. Agree VC and PE are too rigid in what they look for for someone with his background. But a small fund should be willing to consider if he can find one with an opening
I suggest a head hunter. They are hugely helpful.
My husband went through the same thing around the same ages of 37-41 after the birth of our second child, in spite of a top notch MBA and great work experience.
What helped him was his network and previous colleagues and friends who referred him to independent consulting stints as well as provided references for great job positions.
He is doing very well now, happy doing what he loves to do and is very good at. So don’t worry it will work out as long as he keeps on trying and does not fall into self pity.
I would say be supportive but also be tough if he slackens in his efforts. Keep on supporting and egging him on.
Consulting in investment management sector could be a good fit, for example with an analytics focus. You could refer him if your company has an IM area.
What about brokerage firms and banks? I’m a quant with a stats masters that just joined a brokerage firm , but there are a lot of analytics jobs here that require less coding.
Thank you all for the ideas and support!