I've worked for banks to 15 years or so, but always on the sales and trading side, rather than the investment banking side. In general, I like the industry. H

I've worked for banks to 15 years or so, but always on the sales and trading side, rather than the investment banking side. In general, I like the industry. However, I've come to believe that the 90 hour analyst work week is hazing, pure and simple. It doesn't really matter what they're doing. Being a banker is a pretty plum job and it simply weeds out people who don't really want the job that badly. The other aspect is to gauge your personality & fit under adverse conditions, though the adverse conditions are artificial and arbitrary. On trading desk the analyst/junior guys typically will work like 6:30 through 7:30, which is not that much more than anyone else. They will be required to get lunches, coffee and other assorted errands. Again, this too is a form of hazing.