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I worked in finance for 6 years before switching to software. I worked almost 80 hours a week as a discretionary equities trader. I realized that it was startin

I worked in finance for 6 years before switching to software. I worked almost 80 hours a week as a discretionary equities trader. I realized that it was starting to be eaten by the tech/data-driven styles, So I took up software so that I could get a more competitive edge. Now I work webdev at 50 hours a week. Those 30 hours a week is a lot more significant to me than the pay cut I took by not going back into finance. The great part about it is if I REALLY want to go back into finance, I have both sets of skills. It never hurts to gain skills in areas where you don't have a formal education.

darkhorn 9y ago
> 80 hours a week So, you were either in the USA or East Asia, wern't you? I guess you were not in Europe.
- lloyd-christmas 9y ago
  Yes, I'm in NYC. I was typically at work for the european and US market hours during earnings season. > I guess you were not in Europe EU labor laws don't actually prevent those hours, if that's what you're implying. Most of my banking buddies in Europe work 70 hours.
SnowingXIV 9y ago
This is what did it for me. The hours were too much and I was getting burned out. I was in IT consulting (fortune 100 companies) but on the finance side. The company was also pulling me over to join the consulting team but I knew that I needed more than a different role, I needed a different lifestyle. I took a pay cut and now work for small businesses handling webdev and internal tools. This allowed me to stretch some creative legs and navigate into a bit of advertising as well. Beyond that, I now get to spend more time with my wife, learning new skills, and growing in ways that I am more passionate about. The transition doesn't come without heartache though, there are risks including job security and potential growth. No one has a crystal ball. I made a choice that felt more fulfilling in the present. Whether that was a smart choice or not 50 years from now - you'll have to ask me then.

darkhorn 9y ago

> 80 hours a week So, you were either in the USA or East Asia, wern't you? I guess you were not in Europe.

lloyd-christmas 9y ago
Yes, I'm in NYC. I was typically at work for the european and US market hours during earnings season. > I guess you were not in Europe EU labor laws don't actually prevent those hours, if that's what you're implying. Most of my banking buddies in Europe work 70 hours.

SnowingXIV 9y ago

This is what did it for me. The hours were too much and I was getting burned out. I was in IT consulting (fortune 100 companies) but on the finance side. The company was also pulling me over to join the consulting team but I knew that I needed more than a different role, I needed a different lifestyle. I took a pay cut and now work for small businesses handling webdev and internal tools. This allowed me to stretch some creative legs and navigate into a bit of advertising as well. Beyond that, I now get to spend more time with my wife, learning new skills, and growing in ways that I am more passionate about. The transition doesn't come without heartache though, there are risks including job security and potential growth. No one has a crystal ball. I made a choice that felt more fulfilling in the present. Whether that was a smart choice or not 50 years from now - you'll have to ask me then.