Got into Fed Regulator but not Happy

[Anonymous]

OP here - these are all great responses, thank you all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, you get paid for work because it isn’t something you would do for free.

Find your self-worth somewhere else and do your job.

Better is to get paid for something you’d do for free. Keep searching.

This is so toxic. I genuinely enjoy my job (at a finreg!) and I would never do it for free. My life is full of things I enjoy more and that need me more, including family, church and community orgs, and my own mental and physical health. I could easily spend 40+ hours a week on those, if I didn't work 40+ for pay.

It's true that fit matters and you should find a job that you enjoy or at least don't hate. But setting the bar at "I'd do it for free" is unhelpful, unrealistic, and suppresses wages at jobs we assume people should be emotionally invested in because of the mission.

[Anonymous]

What is the dirt on the FDIC?

[Anonymous]

Government work is depressing? Shocker

[Anonymous]

Unless you’re a pro athlete or a musician, your job generally isn’t going to be enjoyable or fulfilling. It’s not supposed to be. There is a reason they have to pay you enough money to sustain your life (and maybe that of a few additional people) to get you to show up.

I’m also in FinReg and, on balance, find it somewhat interesting and (relative to a bunch of other specialties) highly lifestyle-friendly. And like anything else, by the time you become a seasoned practitioner and recognized expert, it does become more enjoyable—but that’s just the general ego boost feeling that comes with praise and being known/respected within a community. So, something to look forward to in 20 years or so.

[Anonymous]

Steer clear of the FDIC. Gross mismanagement. In every division.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you’re a pro athlete or a musician, your job generally isn’t going to be enjoyable or fulfilling. It’s not supposed to be. There is a reason they have to pay you enough money to sustain your life (and maybe that of a few additional people) to get you to show up.

I’m also in FinReg and, on balance, find it somewhat interesting and (relative to a bunch of other specialties) highly lifestyle-friendly. And like anything else, by the time you become a seasoned practitioner and recognized expert, it does become more enjoyable—but that’s just the general ego boost feeling that comes with praise and being known/respected within a community. So, something to look forward to in 20 years or so.

If you are in FinReg you are an expert at nothing.

[Anonymous]

I sometimes get a similar feeling. I’m at my dream job but every job has its boring or repetitive moments. I feel ungrateful when I think those thoughts and try to think of the bigger picture. It helps to look at what’s out there but the grass is not always greener

[Anonymous]

Same thing I think too. I’m at a job that I like, but the managers make it miserable. They want perfection every single time and don’t forgive any mistakes. And the pace of work is now unsustainable. Been applying for other jobs and have had responses but afraid the grass won’t be greener there either. All I want to do right now is retire. My mental health has taken a downturn. But I have to keep moving along because there are bills to pay. I’m not trying to be ungrateful, but I’m so burned out it isn’t funny anymore,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Steer clear of the FDIC. Gross mismanagement. In every division.

Now the union is fighting again. Management pulled one last week. People now going back a day and a half or some nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Steer clear of the FDIC. Gross mismanagement. In every division.

Now the union is fighting again. Management pulled one last week. People now going back a day and a half or some nonsense.

The union is fighting with management over remote v in person work now?

[Anonymous]

I mean that work is boring. Is anyone passionate about financial regulation or it was their dream in law school to do it? Probably no. People enjoy their colleagues, the day to day work projects, their work-life balance, good pay for reasonable hours. It's not complicated - what were you really expecting?

If you want a career you are passionate about, dig deep and think about what are your real interests, what kind of day to day tasks would you find exciting, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean that work is boring. Is anyone passionate about financial regulation or it was their dream in law school to do it? Probably no. People enjoy their colleagues, the day to day work projects, their work-life balance, good pay for reasonable hours. It's not complicated - what were you really expecting?

If you want a career you are passionate about, dig deep and think about what are your real interests, what kind of day to day tasks would you find exciting, etc.

Same PP and wanted to add - what's your life outside of work? These jobs are great in enabling you to be an engaged parent, pursue other interests too etc. Most people don't service deep meaning from their jobs anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Steer clear of the FDIC. Gross mismanagement. In every division.

Now the union is fighting again. Management pulled one last week. People now going back a day and a half or some nonsense.

To be clear, it is now two days per week and only needs to be in the office during core hours. Better than 3x a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean that work is boring. Is anyone passionate about financial regulation or it was their dream in law school to do it? Probably no. People enjoy their colleagues, the day to day work projects, their work-life balance, good pay for reasonable hours. It's not complicated - what were you really expecting?

If you want a career you are passionate about, dig deep and think about what are your real interests, what kind of day to day tasks would you find exciting, etc.

Consumer financial protection was definitely my dream job in law school, so we do exist. But OP shouldn’t be in a job just for the salary. OP, talk with other attorneys and learn what’s out there. It’ll probably mean a pay cut, but find something you like doing!