Have any women on DCUM worked on Wall Street?

[Anonymous]

DD just got an offer to work at Goldman Sachs after she graduates from college next year. She'd be on a trading desk. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? Frankly, I'm a little worried about the stress, but recognize that this could be a great opportunity for her. I'm particularly interested in what women do after two or three years at GS or a comparable firm.

[Anonymous]

Presumably your child will be 21 or 22 right?

Its not a world I have any interest in at all, I'm not cut that way, but you don't need advice or tips or anything, not even on "behalf" of her. She is a grown woman.

[Anonymous]

I've worked at a smaller investment bank, although not on the trading desk. Will it be stressful - yes. Will it be an amazing experience in terms of future career prospects - also yes. If nothing else, having GS on her resume will look really good. I think most people end up leaving after 2-3 years to get their MBA.

[Anonymous]

Stress will be there. But depending upon the desk could ratchet way up.

Overall, not really an opportunity to pass by. She's young and the stress is manageable. At least she won't be an analyst trainee where stress, boredom and long hours will kill you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Presumably your child will be 21 or 22 right?

Its not a world I have any interest in at all, I'm not cut that way, but you don't need advice or tips or anything, not even on "behalf" of her. She is a grown woman.

OP just wants to hear some BTDT stories. Chill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stress will be there. But depending upon the desk could ratchet way up.

Overall, not really an opportunity to pass by. She's young and the stress is manageable. At least she won't be an analyst trainee where stress, boredom and long hours will kill you!

She will be an analyst. Just in sales & trading instead of IB. A trading desk is a sprint and inv banking is a marathon. Both jobs are exhausting but the nature of the day is different. Also hours are still long. I typically worked 6:30 am - 6:30 pm.

[Anonymous]

My best friend worked in Wall Street for almost 10 years. She worked the most insane hours, drank heavily, lavish meals and outings, and worked with your stereotypical male boorish coworkers. If your DD hates it she would quit after a year. However if she got the job I imagine she already knows how to deal with stress.

[Anonymous]

Op, stay out of it. At this point it's none of your business and this sounds like a good opportunity for her vs working at Starbucks. And I worked on Wall Street and as an analyst the whole bro culture was quite exaggerated. What I did get was superb training and learnt how to behave professionally quickly and network. A helicopter mom is not part of the equation.

[Anonymous]

You guys are harsh. I don't think it's helicoptering. I think I'd also be bragging on my belly fruit if she got a wall street job.

Good for your daughter, OP. You raised a good one and she'll be just fine.

[Anonymous]

I recommend she read a book called Opening Belle by Mauren Sherry. It was written by a woman who worked on Wall Street for years, and although it is a fictional novel, it is based on events that happened to her when she was working on Wall Street. Fantastic, quick read and a very eye opening account on the Wall Street culture.

[Anonymous]

I had a friend from grad school who worked for GS after college. She did it for a few years and didn't like it/was crazy stressful. She came to grad school for a public-health related degree - so was good that it helped her find what she was passionate about. She eventually opened her own business in health care.

Your daughter is young and now is the time to try these things out. She'll probably learn a lot whether she loves it or hates it, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[Anonymous]

It's not female friendly..... it's gotten better but it's still a toxic work environment. As long as she has thickskin she will be fine. You basically have to act like a "man/guy"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My best friend worked in Wall Street for almost 10 years. She worked the most insane hours, drank heavily, lavish meals and outings, and worked with your stereotypical male boorish coworkers. If your DD hates it she would quit after a year. However if she got the job I imagine she already knows how to deal with stress.

+1

I had a few female friends. One stayed 2 years and moved on. It wasn't a great fit and she went on to a different field. The other stayed longer - 10 years. Still works in financial but lower stress. The third is still there (15+ yrs) and has even made it work with a family. She is there super early but gets home by 6. She makes serious bank and doesn't want to give that or the lifestyle up.

I knew tons of guys too. A similar mix of outcomes.

It's not a bad place to start off.

[Anonymous]

It's a great place to start off and a huge resume builder. It's fairly common to only stay a few years and leave. gs has admitted it is having a hard time retaining analysts. They are now competing with the tech sector.

As a woman I hated working on Wall Street. Hated every minute of it. But it was worth it.

[Anonymous]

Go see the movie Equity.