why i quit investment banking job

sharing my story of why i quit my investment banking job! I'm grateful for the lessons i learned and the amazing friends and colleagues i met along the way. i have #noregrets lol. this job helped me realize my goals lie elsewhere, and I'm ready to explore that :)
for those of you also unemployed or recruiting or striving for a change in your life, I'm rooting for you! ♡
also as a disclaimer: I am aware there are harder and more strenuous jobs out there, not here to diminish anyone else's experiences or hardships, just sharing my personal story : D
stay connected with me!
IG: / angies_listt
Tiktok: / angies_listt
💌business: [e-mail]
#investmentbanking #investmentbanker #dayinthelife #worklifebalance #worklife #wallstreet #nyc #unemployment #iquitmyjob #quitting #nycvlog #funemployed #dayinmylife

[@arrrriba]

Girl I'm genuinely so happy for you, good for you!

[@elf10]

Aw congratulations on making and following through with such a big decision to rest and recover, spend more time with friends and pursue your interests ❤ I felt very inspired watching this video and your comments about missing and learning to appreciate the little things really resonated with me, because similarly, as life has become hectic, I’ve also missed the little things most of all. Also, I actually think you’re very creative from your videos to your nail art to you bullet journalling and so forth, so I’m happy you’re exploring that side of yourself 🥰

[@angies_listt]

thank you so much!!! I love hearing compliments about my more “artistic” side. Hope you get to take a rest from your hectic life too ❤️

[@kkimkihong]

Congratulations!!! Genuinely happy and excited for you

[@olabimpeolukolo6433]

Been following for quite some time Angie. So happy that you get to do what makes you happy . Much love from Canada 🇨🇦❤

[@angies_listt]

aww thank youu, u r so sweet

[@sijiawang5298]

You are so brave!! Putting your mental health and health first is always the most important 🥰

[@productivepitch]

went through the same thing with consulting as my first job out of college. I couldn't handle it after 8 months so I quit, now 2 years later, super fulfilled with my product management job. never give up, keep finding what will keep you fulfilled and give yourself at least 1-2 years. don't rush the process, there might be moments you look back and doubt your decision, but believe and manifest in the universe that you will get there eventually~ you got this angie!

[@caleb_o9397]

How did you get into product management?

[@angies_listt]

Thank you! This is really encouraging to hear 🥹🤍

[@1-person-startup]

how did you transition from consulting to product management?

[@martinlilly]

Congratulations! You’ve time on your side to carve out your own path. Best of luck with everything

[@greenwildblue]

Congratulations! Getting the strength to leave is stronger than going through something you don't want to do anymore. I just subscribe to your channel and found it very informative on where I see myself(hopefully) sometime in the future. I always applaud those in my age group who are breaking ground. Thank you. Your video is very enlightening. 😊

[@angies_listt]

Aww thank you!! Ily 🤍

[@peonisie]

Hi Angie 💖 I've just followed you last week! Your vids popped up in my recommendations and they really interested me as a 23 yrs old finance master student getting into the industry very soon. All I want to say is congratulations for taking this leap of faith so many people would be scared to take💗 Nobody should have to sacrifice their life and youth, even for a good paycheck. Take care and I can't wait to see where life takes you soon ☺️💞

[@angies_listt]

thank youu ily

[@peonisie]

@@angies_listt Thank you so so much

[@Angelawesome3]

Almost done with my second year of banking in the city rn and every day is worse than the last... It's one the most isolating deprecating experiences I've ever had, but watching this gave me hope that it can get better. I've been contemplating quitting since last year and this was so inspiring to me. Thank you for sharing and I hope you're enjoying the new chapter in your life post banking :')) so happy for you!!!

[@tinalouisechen]

Hi Angie!!! I totally feel how you felt. I felt work has taking over my life and I am looking to see how I can find other hobbies in life that can make me happy as well. I respect you for having the courage to make the decision! 🌱🥺

[@angies_listt]

Thank youuu

[@shukailu6731]

Congrats Angie! Looking forward to great things for you

[@poobiswoobis]

YESS!!! I just watched your video on work-life balance and I was stressed for you. Happy for this next phase in your life.

[@angies_listt]

HAHAH looking back at those videos also stresses me out 😭

[@aesnci]

I feel like we’re living the same life from across the globe! This week is my last week at my first corporate job and I’ll be unemployed and travelling very soon too Keen to see how you spend your free time now and maybe it can inspire me to do new activities Love the video 🤍

[@angies_listt]

omg excited for your new chapter!! wishing you the best of luck :)) good things will come your way

[@wondersoulz]

excited for the next part of your journey, you got this girl!

[@angies_listt]

Thank you!! Ily 🤍

[@claudiavalencia2322]

This was so fun!! All best to you!!

[@rezaursikder1028]

Very smart to prioritize and do what is right for you. In hindsight I wish I had done that way back in my career. Keep pursuing what you want in life. Do more life.

[@NM-ee3rp]

I believe you made the right decision, wishing you the best!

[@gary2835]

Congrats! Most people don't have the courage to do what you did and much less share it with the world -- not an easy thing

[@angies_listt]

thank you

[@future1670]

Most people in ib leave within a year:)

[@niranjanrajesh1058]

​@@ahwhqgqmdhwhwhhzhb nah theyre probably just smarter than you dude. They probably understand how unbelievably stressful IB is. 70-100 hours a week sound worse than suicide. These tiktok vids can make as much as these big jobs if you're a decent youtuber

[@harshitkumar6913]

Which company you work

[@Kidokwon123]

love you angie! Have a full support for you

[@angies_listt]

thank you ily!!

[@Sjudit84]

Honestly, I am glad you did that. I was feeling really sad seeing how much this job was taking over your life, especially since you are so young and could use that time for better things. I hate companies that do this to people. I used to have a job in which in 3 months I totally burnt out and I also knew I wasn't good at it. So I quit. My manager told me that I am giving up too soon and I should at least spend a year in it and if I still don't like it, then she will understand that I want to quit. That's BS. 1. I know myself well enough to know if I like something or not or how I will do in it. I don't need to spend a shit year there to know that already after 3 months. 2. I don't need to prove anything to anyone, it is my life, I decide where I wanna work, noone can tell me otherwise. 3. This life is too short to spend it with work all the time, especially if you start having mental and physical symptoms from it, don't every let anyone tell you otherwise! So I am excited to see where the journey takes you!

[@angies_listt]

What do you do now? and Omfg u said everything that I felt!!! No job is ever THAT serious and it’s OUR life, we can choose what we want want to do. The shitty year made me realize how important time and relationships are. Thank you for joining this journey

[@devonjay1337]

Those texts in the video i just know id be the EXACT same. I did a summer in IB this summer at 19 and honestly it was enough, its vids like this that get rid of any doubt about rejecting the return ❤

[@angies_listt]

HAHAH i be so dramatic sometimes but my friends let me vent about the same thing everyday thank god. and belated congrats on your offer lol, I'm happy for you that it only took one summer for you to rule this path out! hope you're living your best life now : ))

[@underclouds-citylights]

Glad you did it! I did a sophomore investment banking internship and everyone urged me to go back, but I knew even if I went back for another summer I foresaw how much I wouldn't like it. The earlier you pivot, the better

[@enkubella]

That was me in 2019! I had a sophomore IB internship and didn't accept my return offer. 4.5 years later I haven't regretted it even once.

[@charityvaatikilonzo6061]

I am working in audit at a big 4 firm straight from uni and I'm already dreading the busy season because we're already overworked and it's interim work. I realized I am only working for the money and fear of failure. While I am grateful because I'm earning good money and have no debt or dependants, I cannot do this forever. I cannot however, gather the courage to quit or go to a lower paying job in this economy. You are so brave.

[@milesbarksdale2446]

Wow and I’m starting next year in big 4 hahaha. Now u got me a bit nervous

[@charityvaatikilonzo6061]

​@@milesbarksdale2446People are different. Please try it and if you don't like it, like me you could wait out for a year or two for the exit opportunities. I knew what I was getting into when I accepted the offer and was willing to go through it for a better job and that is one of the reasons I am not thinking of quitting until after one year ends. The hours are long and you're expected to get in line with that but there is a culture of coaching, at least in my country's office and the team members are not backstabbing ladder climbers so that's a reprieve.

[@Yas-hg1wi]

I've worked in big4 for 4 years, burned out and took a break. I'm unemployed and currently just enjoying my life as I didn't have any during those years unfortunately. Big4 isn't easy, and isn't sustainable long term.

[@angies_listt]

There definitely is a level of privilege to be able to let go and I’m grateful for that! Good luck with your journey and I’m sure soon, you’ll be able to evolve and jump to an even better space 🤍🤍

[@roxanas4714]

So proud of you!

[@dcoxinator]

Congratulations!! Work life balance is very important. Nothing is worth your mental health and health. Got a lot of respect for you as most people wouldn't do what you did. I can't wait to see where life takes you next.

[@angies_listt]

Thank youuuu hope you stick around 😚

[@Avo.cado12]

So great to see that you’re in a better place after enduring so much! I thought your second point (toxic competition) was soooo interesting b/c you’d think that everyone would be too exhausted to get competitive and damage friendships. Would you consider piggybacking off of this point and making a video about the environment in the future?

[@angies_listt]

Yeah you would really think that, but people get so drawn into the office politics and play into all these silly little dramas in office, but sadly it happens 😢 yess I can talk a little bit more about this - might do a Q&A soon!

[@LennyTim]

Many times people don't realize that they can quit because they have skills and talents that they learned on the job. See what your company is doing and see if you can do it too, just on your own. Good luck!

[@UNKNOWN-1589]

Love the videos been here since the first and they have only gotten better.

[@angies_listt]

AWWW THANK YOU!! omg my first video was horrendous.. I slapped a bunch of things from canva together and posted it 😭 who let me do that 👹👹👹

[@arnita_sur]

Don't worry. You will figure it out. Take the time to look after yourself❤

[@angies_listt]

Thank youuu 🥹🤍🤍

[@bobbyboo2860]

aww so happy for you girl

[@dansutherland2462]

I watched a Marco Pierre White video where he said that you have to achieve your dreams before you can decide if it's what you really want. Best of luck

[@diamonds2680]

Have you looked into compliance? It’s a lot less work there’s no deals or clients but still in the finance world. Im 21 and I feel I have a healthy work life balance. Its considered the graveyard for bankers and old traders but I actually love it

[@nc_fr87]

Wow! Congrats for quitting I’m sure it will be better for you in the long term!🥳

[@crossvariation]

Hey good for you :) definitely get your health in order

[@sarahgutierrez5628]

Happy for you! 😊👍

[@Max-hw5qm]

Your videos really are great, especially considering how little experience you have based on how little videos you have! idk if there is any way you could turn video/editing into a full time career but you definitely have a gift for it.

[@angies_listt]

THANK YOU, that means a lot to me 🥹I would love to have this little passion project turn into something that can pay and feed me in the future haha, but in the meantime it is really fun learning how to edit and story tell 😚

[@tommychen6102]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!! YAY!!!! YAY!!!! YAY!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!! YOU QUIT! I remember quitting my public accounting job! I can sleep and enjoy myself now!

[@angies_listt]

THANK YOU HAHAHAH- finally letting go feels sooo goooddd. What do u do now? :0

[@filmlandia]

Holy fuck good on you for doing this!!!!! And you tattoo baddie - I love it. I too have a “d day” thing marked in my calendar for very soon. Wish me luck. We will all be ok!!! 🎉

[@angies_listt]

Stoppp it ily💗!! Rooting for you too hope that “d day” comes soon!! Manifesting for us💗

[@MoorishBrooklyn]

Bravery. Your mental health should always be a priority. If you are not your best, then you can not be your best for others or be of service to others.

[@maxzhang502]

going into banking next June. ur videos have helped set my expectations - glad you found your path and I know you'll do great!

[@itsemmanuella2021]

Girl you really tried It's been 10 months now and I'm quitting my job this month and I couldn't be more excited.

[@Das_Germaican]

Late to the party but good for you! I see all these posts on various social media platforms on how to be successful. Don’t sleep, don’t eat, ignore your friends, and grind it out. Then hopefully you’ll either make it big or hopefully make it to retirement where you’ll get to enjoy the spoils of all your hard work. As a healthcare worker, I’ve put and taken out enough people in the morgue who probably had the same aspirations and, well, now they’re dead. F the grind life.

[@angies_listt]

I see a bunch of videos like that too and it ends up making me feel guilty about the way I’m pursuing my goals 🥲 I respect the grind, but you’re rightttt being so tunnel visioned and ignoring the little joys in life will only make you miserable (like in banking when I couldn’t even spare time to see my friends, the salary was simply not worth it)

[@Das_Germaican]

@@angies_listt they’re essentially exploiting people using this grind mentality as a ticket to success. How many times were you expected to work extra hours, do things that aren’t part of your job without compensation? You also brought up being an Asian woman, did you experience a gender pay gap? It can be difficult when there’s a lack of representation in your field. Regardless, enjoy life. Every day is a gift. Unfortunately, living in a capitalist society completely ignores this.

[@GreifNation]

If you want a better W/L balance, work for a European firm and stay out of IBD. Switch to corp banking or other CIB roles which will pay less for sure (not dramatically less but like 10-20k less than IB at same firm) but still are client facing.

[@dominiclim0601]

Hey Angie, Great video and thanks for sharing all the struggles and late night works in IB. A word of advise. If you can automate the work. Automate it. Don't hold on to it, because you're afraid the computer might do the work better and you become replaceable... truth is... nothing in this world is certain... so don't try so hard to control so many things in life... its good to have goals and ambitions but sometimes you just need to take a step back and let life lead you... sorry If I sound a bit harsh but I am really worried for your mental health given how you portrayed your work in the video... Peace out ❤

[@ThinkEddiee]

Yes sir, I just deleted tiktok. But I believe you should keep going with da vlog

[@angies_listt]

hahah your comment is the reason why this video is even up today. thnx for motivating me : ' )

[@Bauer787i]

you can do investment banking but work for PWC or ernst and young work more on the software side or Research side. you will work les than 50 hours a week.

[@jadevu904]

Congrats❤ New year new things

[@angies_listt]

THANK YOU LOVE

[@yoel8543]

Hey Angie, do you think the salary to work hours was equal or not enough for the job?

[@exestudios2343]

If anything, I think corporate banking can be a good backup

[@jadevu904]

You are a Brave one! I quit my job bc my mental couldnt take it but I was not financially prepared so I was in a big hole. Despite that I have a great support system to get back on my feet. I got a job pay less but job is a job, I choose my my mental over $ anyday

[@angies_listt]

yess, agree 100% im so proud of you and happy for you! Life is shortttt, and a job cannot define us!

[@StefanieMuller-cl5qm]

Jobs and Money are not everything. Life is everything ❤

[@LittleMew133]

Banking is insane. Cannot believe I thought I would make it work there when I was in highschool.

[@hj6108]

Love you Angie from korea❤

[@angies_listt]

Love you back ❤️

[@roce6296]

Making money is good but sacrificing all things in life makes it not worth it. We all have one life. Enjoy and appreciate what life brings not what are job makes us to be.

[@angies_listt]

YES! exactly

[@rheemk1980]

What exactly do you do in IB that takes 18 hours to do? Is it consistent 18 hours or do you take breaks in between?

[@angies_listt]

some days there are breaks in between, where we are waiting for comments. i have a dedicated video outlining exactly what i did during one of my days for 15+ hours :) www.tiktok.com/@angies_listt/video/7284479242195307818?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7260195726066697771

[@rheemk1980]

@@angies_listt oh awesome thank you

[@barneyy6942]

​@@angies_listtcan you post it on youtube too?

[@tomgregson7640]

Really i was going to go into investment banking, but after your videos I have concerns

[@3dvibez]

You don't have to if you love finance you'll love it. Even I'm preparing to go for it. She's more of a social media girl don't compare you'll love it.

[@thebullsmarket7361]

How much did you earn from the day you started till the end day?

[@REYMARTZHD]

What about learning how to trade and invest in the stock market and make it your job? I find that to be very rewarding for me once you know what you're doing.

[@swagmassa6702]

Damn congrats. Glad you didn't fall for the golden handcuffs!

[@poojamishra2990]

After seeing that you had quit your investment banking job I am confused what should I do now. Currently I am in final yr of my ug. As I was focusing on becoming and investment banker. But your video make me confused 😔

[@angies_listt]

I think if it aligns with your long term career goals (i.e. working in PE, buy side, etc.) it might still be worth it for you! Talk and network to as many professionals as you can in ib- there are some people who have better experiences than me, either because they found a team with better work life balance or better management. I don’t want my videos to discourage people, it’s more so to be transparent and show the side that people usually don’t and help you manage expectations before entering the field! Try to figure out why you wanted to pursue ib, is it the exit ops? Network? Skillset? Write those down and it’ll help you decide if it’s worth it. Good luck recruiting!

[@poojamishra2990]

@@angies_listt yeah you are right. Thank you to being honest with us. And your content is not demotivating. That's very helpful ❤️

[@lukea.8459]

What company did you work for?

[@chickenandchips8802]

peace and life > stress and long hours…..

[@luckylz6417]

Congrats on resignation!!

[@harshitkumar6913]

Which company you work company name

[@hasanaslam931]

Do you think I can get into IB as a bio major and what steps should I take

[@realMaX282]

Love from india 🇮🇳 (Indian food 👍🏻)

[@IMBLESSED-oe6dl]

dont waste younger yrs for a job, it's not worth. life is to be enjoyed. i remember putting lots of hours during tax and auditing season being away from family etc. not worth it.

[@nedyalkokarabadzhakov5405]

The moment i saw a video showing what is your life as investment banker i know this will happen. To me a developer + farmer this is very boring work, it suck the life of you. Good for you.

[@chickenceiling]

you dont need to roll over your 401k. You can just leave it there.

[@10xleverage]

What was the % withholding tax on your bonus?

[@renegadejt4985]

Dang is IB that crazy? I’m in IB and it ain’t that cray to start quiting

[@angies_listt]

Goood. Embrace that! Hope you continue thrive 🫡🫡🫡

[@poobiswoobis]

Will you open up members at some point? Would love to be one

[@dt3367]

Badminton in NYC....very Asean choice

[@Sakhile...]

Have you considered grad school?

[@angies_listt]

Not yettt im trying to pivot directly to another field and work

[@andiuptown1711]

@@angies_listtPlsss do not fall for the grad school trap lol

[@angies_listt]

@@andiuptown1711 wait why do u think it’s a trap

[@andiuptown1711]

@@angies_listt Unless your employer is funding it, get ready to go in debt for a slight increase in pay because regardless of the degree, *years of experience triumphs all.* Graduate school is all loans and the ROI is laughable. Ofc there are exceptions in more specialized careers like law, medicine, etc where the higher level education is required for *valid* reasons

[@Phlegethon]

"How I broke into investment banking from a non-target"...month later "I quit" lol

[@PokupK3p1n1u94]

Youre lefthanded?

[@felixg4785]

Omg. You worked so hard for it. I don’t understand. I think you are to hard on yourself. You could have taken some little off days here and there. Enjoy sports, activities with other people.

[@MakingaStink]

You don’t want to hear this, but you should have spent 2 years there. Would open up a lot more opportunities!

[@resa574]

All exits from that point in ib have equally bad wlb So if that’s you’re worried of, might as well leave

[@angies_listt]

Yeah I was debating staying 2 years, weighed my options, and ultimately I chose peace 😃 trusting the process and life to bring me where I belong 😃

[@Yas-hg1wi]

Exits that just represent more work and similar environment is not a true exit.

[@absolutevalueinvesting]

I think we figured out why women aren't in IB

[@user-he1lb4kp6l]

White dominated environment what does that even mean??

[@Yas-hg1wi]

Majority of associates, analysts, VP, directors are white males.

[@TJ-vk5qk]

When I see young people give up on this field, I realize what a machine my son who hung in there is. Some people aren’t cut out.

[@andiuptown1711]

Ah yes the “humble” brag