I’m an investment banking summer analyst at a major bank. I have an autoimmune disease and tend to get very sick very easily, especially when working long hours. I didn’t bring this up in the interview or hiring stages because I didn’t want it to disqualify me, and I hoped it wouldn’t be an issue, but the hours are really hurting my health. What should I do? I worked hard to get where I am, so I’d like to stay in IB if I can, but my health is obviously important too. Should I talk to my manager?

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Make the switch to something more sustainable. I can promise you that as a virtual intern this is the easiest that banking will be for you. There are plenty of options out there that can use your background, and having a summer analyst gig at a BB will look good on your resume. It’s scary as hell at first to make that jump, especially when it feels like you’re making the switch. But as another former intern who switched career paths I look back so happily realizing I got out when I did. I knew by week 3 that I dreaded the job physically and mentally, even though it was all I wanted to do for all 3 years of college. You’ll find something else that works, PM if you need help but your health and happiness are more important than any career

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Don’t do IB. There’s stories of analysts with no pre-existing health conditions ending up in the hospital bc of the job. Even if you do take the job, the potential health effects will likely cost more than the higher salary.

Get the full time offer first, and then leverage that to get a reasonable corporate job. If you’re considering on other jobs within the firm, talk to HR after getting the offer.

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Agreed. I interned 2 summers in IB and decided against it even as a healthy individual (eat clean, workout 4-5x a week).

While interning I basically chugged pre workout to get to the gym. It was like catch 22, bc I would feel worse without the workout but with the workout I was more sleep deprived😢

And in one summer I faded two foundation shades bc I didn’t see the sun working those hours

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No. Don’t talk to your manager. Go get the job first. They can’t fire you for being sick. Telling them now will blow your chances.

On a more serious note, you may want to reconsider the career path. It’s absolutely brutal on physical and mental health and you will not have a life for 2 years.

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I had a young girl have a breakdown and fall asleep at the wheel. She almost killed an old lady in a head on. That was a wake up call

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Not sure why you chose banking knowing your health condition. It’s notoriously the least forgiving in terms of hours. Like the military you basically come out of it with many exit opportunities bc you “endured the suck”. I would talk to your manager but fully expect not to get a FT offer unless you’re some kind of genius.

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Remember that nothing is more important than your health and no job is worth damaging your health

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Totally agreed - as long as you keep your mental and physical health up the world will always be your oyster

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OP just wanted to say best of luck to you - if you decide to take a different course please know there are many other lucrative and rewarding roles out there aside from IB.

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Make the early switch to PE

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Lol 17 hours a day is a part time job in IB. You gotta pump those numbers up rookie.

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Having worked in IB, both internship and full time, I will say IB is not worth it, especially if you don’t love — and I mean LOVE — finance and doing deals.

Apply your work ethic to something that will bring better balance.

I worked during a year where an analyst committed suicide, another had to get carted off the floor late at night from a panic attack, etc. Not worth it at all. It took time for me to unwind and find my footing outside the industry. Get out as soon as you can. I know plenty of analysts who quit along the way without fulfilling the two year mark — and they are way happier for it. Good luck!

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“You can have all riches and successes in the world, but if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.”

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This ^

Agreed that you should consider switching to something more sustainable. This virtual summer internship will be nothing like the real thing. I don’t know any banking analysts who dont work 9:30am-1am. Many all nighters. Put your health first. There are other jobs that also pay well but are less brutal n

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Also speaking from the perspective of someone who interned in IB: your summer (especially virtually) will be much easier than your full time role, and your team will likely not be forgiving, especially cause they can probably find someone else to replace you quite easily (not because you are not smart but because the IB analyst role simply does not require an extraordinary level of intelligence). If you worked hard enough to get into IB, then there are plenty of other opportunities out there that will be as intellectually stimulating and not force you to make a trade-off between your career and your health. Best of luck!

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You may qualify for ADA accommodations to do your job. It you like this week, don’t let folks make u think u should have done something differently (that u don’t love). But if u can do this job w accommodations, they are required to give those to you. Don’t be afraid to ask for them. Everyplace has a difference experience but just hold ur head up high! And u were not required to tell then about the disability when u were hired either. Go for it!

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I don’t think this would qualify as a reasonable accommodation at all. The accommodation isn’t required if it would constitute an undue hardship on the employer, and not being able to work the hours required for a role such that you are unable to fulfill those duties probably wouldn’t hit that metric.

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I did IB to the point where it almost killed me. I drank. Smoked. Gambled. Drove fast. There’s 6 months of 2017 that I barely remember. I left and look back on my time there proudly.. I loved it, but don’t get me wrong it almost put me in the ground.

I make less money. But I’m alive and it suits for now. I really beg you to reconsider a different career path. People who go into IB think they know what they’re up for. And sure, some places are better than others, but it’s generally extremely unforgiving and competitive. Let’s say the bank makes some allowances for you. Your progression will stifle and you will find it impossible to “fit in” (which is a critical part of surviving).

Think about it. As someone else said, don’t deny someone else the chance to give it their best shot.

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As a career IBer now consultant (which is basically a vacation) I urge you to reconsider the pathway. Please...

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I’d finish the internship and then look for a FT finance LDP after completing your studies. You shouldn’t have to work crazy hours there.

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This right here I really hope OP reads. Also, really amazing career opportunities that IB people are going to want to be getting into will open up from this path.

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I feel like talking to your manager about not being able to work the long hours due to your disorder will be a bad look considering that banking is notorious for this. Sounds like you should reconsider your career path. If you can intern at a big bank you should be able to intern in another reputable profession and firm.

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Why don’t you see how it goes first and if you struggle with your health or the hours, then reach out? I hear that summer programs are often not quite as high in workload so you could get a taste for the work while also asking around and learning about work hours, etc. Hopefully by end of summer you’ll have more information and could decide if IB is a good fit for you.

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tough situation. if you’re really good at math, quant/prop trading hours actually tend to be a lot better. positions are obviously competitive, but that’s a high finance, entry-level role that you may be able to at least get an interview for.

otherwise, you may want to go the corp fin route and work your way up the ladder.

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Leave now. You won’t be able to make a career in IB. It’s truly a different animal

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OP - You are playing Russian roulette with your well being. I would advise you to get off this path ASAP. I hate to be the assho*e here but this was a poorly thought out move. Not only are you gambling with your well being but by getting a job you don’t intend to keep you took the spot away from another guy or girl who wanted it and who was not facing the same health issues as you. There are 100 other places to make money and do well. Pick something else.

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