Does anyone else feel this way

[skittiti]

Long story short, i'm a graduating senior from a great schooll, with a job already lined up in a big city doing investment banking. I thought finance is what I wanted to do with my life, and up until this year I was certain of that... until i found NS.

I was a snowboarder for ~8 years before this year, but I really became interested in skiing last summer and decided to make the switch this season. Being that I'm from michigan, the riding options are very limited (especially with this winter) but i picked up a pair of skis at the beginning of the season and started riding as much as i could. I just got back from a trip to park city yesterday, where I spent 4 days riding as much as possible, and really progressed. I went from learning the basics of skiing at the beginning of the season to being able to hit most jumps, throw a few 1's and various grabs, slide most boxes and some rails, and overall really progressed both in the park and out. I know i'm newer to this site, and skiing in general, but I really fell in love with the sport, to the point where it's all i think about.

The part that sucks for me is after i graduate i probably wont be able to ski for at least a few years, as high-finance jobs tend to have crazy hours, work 7 days a week and leave very little time for hobbies/personal enjoyment. I know the job pays very well and ultimately sets up a very strong springboard from which i can launch a career, but part of me wants to put that all on hold to move out west and pursue skiing further. I know i will never be sponsored, that's not the point, but the thought of being able to wake up every day and go skiing sounds like something that would make me truly happy.

I know that ultimately i will end up taking the job, because for me it seems like the right thing to do, but the thought that my body is aging and this may be the only opportunity in my life to pursue skiing to the extent that i would want is a thought that is constantly on my mind. Growing up fucking sucks, and i really wish i would have started skiing/found out about this site sooner, because maybe things would have turned out different. Taking a gap year to live out west just seems out of the question for me now, and i just wish i had more foresight to have planned something like that before i started out in the real world.

yea this post is depressing as fuck, but it's been on my mind a lot, and I have to believe there are others on this site that feel the same way.

 

[Peter.]

it's called growing up

 

[000000000000]

At some point you have to ask yourself how much your soul is worth. It is your life, but there are other paths to take with your education. Working 7 days a week blows and you don't have a life. At some point you will burn out.

 

[no_steeze]

It's all a balance man. Making a bunch of money is great up to a point, but there's always a bigger picture if you allow yourself to see it. As lame hippie as it sounds, in the grand scheme of things the only thing that's truly important is your happiness. Even when it comes to bringing kids into the world -- the most valuable thing you can give a child is a happy and positive environment to grow up in.

That being said, in your current position there's no reason not to take the finance job since you already have it lined up. You can technically leave and go ski at any point since you can do whatever the fuck you want with your life. If you're truly unhappy after a couple months then bail and go live in the mountains, and all you've done in the meantime is made some money to help fund that lifestyle.

 

[JTTrembles]

Take a year off man. Can't all that be put on hold for one more year?

 

[Rparr]

I'm facing a very similar situation. Graduating from a good school with an engineering degree next fall. I have been skiing since I was 3 and like you I would like nothing more than to pursue skiing to the utmost of my ability while my body is still strong. However, I feel that it would be very difficult to land a good job after taking a year off after college. Employers hate that shit. I have been thinking about this daily for years now, and the only decent option I can think of is the idea that maybe somehow I can get a job with my degree out west at least somewhat close to the skiing. I just refuse to live out there and make minimum wage after all these years of schooling.

 

[Mingg]

I totally feel you on this.

I started getting really into skiing my senior year of high school but it wasn't until last season when i started to really get into the community part of it. I started to travel around the east going to all these events, I met a FUCK ton of people through NS, networked a little bit through them and hell I landed a job with iF3 and LGT. Even got myself a full on marketing job and get to work with a bunch of awesome resorts and companies(shoutout to Planks & NS). I was like fuck! Maybe I could do something with this and then the whole "What do I really want to do with my life?" thing all started haha.

I started off school in biomedical engineering, was doing really well and then all of the above happened. So my choices were that I stuck with biomed, went to school for 7 more years, make a lot of money doing something I was moderately passionate about and work crazy weird hours. OR I could get a "normal" job, make average pay, live the kind of life I really want to live and overall be happier.

So I switched into marketing, got that marketing job and loved it. I've switched majors again to accounting with a minor in marketing to broaden my skill set I guess. Right now I still am not totally sure what I want to do with it. Probably either work for a resort or a company, not sure. But I know that I'm gonna be 100x happier than if I had gone the other way.

As for now, I'm obviously still in school and you're graduating which might make what I'm gonna say irrelevant. But for now I'm just skiing as much as I can while working as hard as I can. I mean, nows the time to do that isn't it? You can always take some time off and bum it out somewhere and have the time of your life haha. Or you can rush right into a career.

But I'm gonna say you'd benefit from going out and livin life and seeing what comes to you. Who knows? Maybe what happened for me will happen for you and you'll meet some people who can get you set up with a ski-friendly finance job. Ya never know, man. Ya never know.

 

[taylor_gang]

to the point where it's all i think about.

Growing up fucking sucks,

I have to believe there are others on this site that feel the same way.

1. Join the club

2. Yes

3. Yes

Do your thing for 1-2 years then get a finance job out west. I'm graduating this may and freaking the hell out as well.

 

[Lonely]

Long story short, i'm a graduating senior from a great schooll, with a job already lined up in a big city doing investment banking. I thought finance is what I wanted to do with my life, and up until this year I was certain of that... until i found NS.

I was a snowboarder for ~8 years before this year, but I really became interested in skiing last summer and decided to make the switch this season. Being that I'm from michigan, the riding options are very limited (especially with this winter) but i picked up a pair of skis at the beginning of the season and started riding as much as i could. I just got back from a trip to park city yesterday, where I spent 4 days riding as much as possible, and really progressed. I went from learning the basics of skiing at the beginning of the season to being able to hit most jumps, throw a few 1's and various grabs, slide most boxes and some rails, and overall really progressed both in the park and out. I know i'm newer to this site, and skiing in general, but I really fell in love with the sport, to the point where it's all i think about.

The part that sucks for me is after i graduate i probably wont be able to ski for at least a few years, as high-finance jobs tend to have crazy hours, work 7 days a week and leave very little time for hobbies/personal enjoyment. I know the job pays very well and ultimately sets up a very strong springboard from which i can launch a career, but part of me wants to put that all on hold to move out west and pursue skiing further. I know i will never be sponsored, that's not the point, but the thought of being able to wake up every day and go skiing sounds like something that would make me truly happy.

I know that ultimately i will end up taking the job, because for me it seems like the right thing to do, but the thought that my body is aging and this may be the only opportunity in my life to pursue skiing to the extent that i would want is a thought that is constantly on my mind. Growing up fucking sucks, and i really wish i would have started skiing/found out about this site sooner, because maybe things would have turned out different. Taking a gap year to live out west just seems out of the question for me now, and i just wish i had more foresight to have planned something like that before i started out in the real world.

yea this post is depressing as fuck, but it's been on my mind a lot, and I have to believe there are others on this site that feel the same way.

I think you should get up to crystal this weekend for spring fling

But in all reality reach out to companies out west. They'd love to give you insight and you might even get an internship or something. I've talked to the guys at on3p and moment and they were great at giving me a response/advice and a feel for what it's like to have a degree or be getting one and have skiing as a huge part of your life.

I'm gonna be up at tech partially because of the school itself but also so I can ski. Degrees don't define what you do with your life. Your passions and the things you care about should. If skiing is going to make you happy then go for it.

 

[607.]

Take the job and work long enough to pay off all student loans (take baller ass ski vacations during said time) and then go from there, by then you can figure out a way to live where you can ski and work an easier job and just make enough to live comfortably, thats my current plan

 

[skittiti]

Take a year off man. Can't all that be put on hold for one more year?

unfortunately it can't, but I really wish it could. If I put this off for a year, the chances of me getting the same job with the same company are almost 0.

However, I feel that it would be very difficult to land a good job after taking a year off after college. Employers hate that shit.

this is exactly why i dont want to take a year off, employers see the gap on your resume and no matter what explanation you give, it's not good enough, which really really sucks

Maybe what happened for me will happen for you and you'll meet some people who can get you set up with a ski-friendly finance job. Ya never know, man. Ya never know.

yea i guess so, i might try to move out west and do something finance related in Colorado/Utah area after a few years. Appreciate the kind words though, Ming.

I think you should get up to crystal this weekend for spring fling

But in all reality reach out to companies out west. They'd love to give you insight and you might even get an internship or something. I've talked to the guys at on3p and moment and they were great at giving me a response/advice and a feel for what it's like to have a degree or be getting one and have skiing as a huge part of your life.

I'm gonna be up at tech partially because of the school itself but also so I can ski. Degrees don't define what you do with your life. Your passions and the things you care about should. If skiing is going to make you happy then go for it.

Damn, If I woulda known about spring fling i woulda been there for sure, already have plans to go to Miami of Ohio to visit a buddy. kill it up there though man, that sounds like a blast. if Crystal stays open longer than this weekend i may just have to rip up there.

I agree with your comment about passions, and I truly am passionate about finance (well, i should say, as passionate as one could possibly be about their profession), but I definitely am more passionate about skiing, which goes without saying and is obvious. I really want to drop everything and pursue skiing, but I just spent 16 years in school working towards a degree, and I owe to my parents and myself to see where that takes me first i guess.

 

[Swandog7]

Dude I feel you. I have this love hate relationship with Architecture, and its a 5-6 year degree, nonstop hours in college and at a job, but when I'm like 30-35 Ill be making 6 digits or more. I really have a passion for skiing, and want to go/stay out west my whole life, but money will be a huge issue. Ill see how it goes I guess

 

[Caucasian_Asian]

I used to have a really chill job at a ski hill. Worked in an awesome shop that got me a free pass and free skis to use. My summers were spent as a brick layer. Super hard work, but I was ripped. Both were kinda dead-end jobs, but I was having a super fun time.

I started to notice some of the older guys that worked around the resort. In their 40s, worker menial jobs, still partying, and still struggling to pay the rent. I realized that I didn't want that and needed to get out.

I took a completely new job that payed less, but guaranteed more hours and more opportunities to advance. I didn't ski much for a few years.

I ski more now. Not as much as before, but I can afford things now. If I want new skis, I buy them. I don't have to live off ramen to pay rent. I own a house and a car.

It's about your priorities. Live right now, or the rest of your life.

 

[.Hugo.]

Dont do something stupid. Use your time now to setup the rest of your life. You will eventually deeply regret not taking this opportunity

 

[SFBv420.0]

do you really want me to believe the world i spent the last 18 years residing in isn't real?

god bless the bums they don't keep score

 

[fries]

I'm pretty young so I don't have very much insight on the buisiness part of this but if I do know anything it's that you should do what makes you happy. Don't wait until you retire and youre too worn out to ski. There's a lot of risk involved in just moving out west and trying to find a job but it's worth it. Having a lot of money is nice until you will realize that you are stuck in a city and you don't have any time to do anything but work. Don't fall into the trap of putting money before dreams, because you will be a lot happier in the mountains with no money than you would be in the city with a lot of money.

 

[KravtZ]

You would be a very very stupid person to turn down your IB job. I came from that industry as well.

Its 2 years of hell for a lifetime of opportunities. You won't ever touch a salary that high for a long time if you leave IB. No doubt..the first year SUCKS. You will work your ass off and wont have any time off. 2nd year is a lot more lenient.

Once you get recruited into the HF/PE world hours loosen up quite a bit and you can expect to see 300k or so by your mid 20's. At this point you have an INSANE skillset that most would kill for and you can do whatever the hell you want.

Skiing is fun and all...but trust me. When you get older and realize you can't ski 5 days week forever you will regret not doing this. You will never have to worry about money again. Tons of finance guys are sick skiers and often are huge weekend warriors.

 

[KravtZ]

You would be a very very stupid person to turn down your IB job. I came from that industry as well.

Its 2 years of hell for a lifetime of opportunities. You won't ever touch a salary that high for a long time if you leave IB. No doubt..the first year SUCKS. You will work your ass off and wont have any time off. 2nd year is a lot more lenient.

Once you get recruited into the HF/PE world hours loosen up quite a bit and you can expect to see 300k or so by your mid 20's. At this point you have an INSANE skillset that most would kill for and you can do whatever the hell you want.

Skiing is fun and all...but trust me. When you get older and realize you can't ski 5 days week forever you will regret not doing this. You will never have to worry about money again. Tons of finance guys are sick skiers and often are huge weekend warriors.

Not to mention you will have time to workout in IB. You can still eat healthy and keep careof yourself. Yea its a lot of stress...it gets better once you get used to it. I assume you did the internship to land the job so you know what your getting into.

You have your entire life to ski. If you only ski 7-10 days a winter while your doing IB thats fine. You will be able to buy a ski house easily very early in your life. Being a weekend warrior is fine. Lot of my friends in the HF/PE industry all go up every weekend and shred while being able to enjoy the high life and not live like a bum

 

[KravtZ]

I think more recently there are other paths to break into HF/PE especially for boutique. Maybe OP can try that but it's also extremely competitive too.

Yea there are other ways...this is the easiest and the traditional path. Wouldn't recommend going an alternative path if thats your goal. You get by far the most exposure this way and not really to the elite firms

 

[powderdrunkie]

I work everyday and I go home and ski. Last chair is at 10pm. There's always a way to make it work if you really want it.

 

[skittiti]

OP what bank are you going to be working at and what is compensation?

Prefer to keep bank anonymous, but its a top group at a BB, think JPM LevFin, BAML healthcare, GS TMT, MS M&A, etc. pay is usually a little higher than street, anywhere from 135-155k as a first year (granted, its NYC, so i get taxed to shit)

You would be a very very stupid person to turn down your IB job. I came from that industry as well.

Its 2 years of hell for a lifetime of opportunities. You won't ever touch a salary that high for a long time if you leave IB. No doubt..the first year SUCKS. You will work your ass off and wont have any time off. 2nd year is a lot more lenient.

Once you get recruited into the HF/PE world hours loosen up quite a bit and you can expect to see 300k or so by your mid 20's. At this point you have an INSANE skillset that most would kill for and you can do whatever the hell you want.

Skiing is fun and all...but trust me. When you get older and realize you can't ski 5 days week forever you will regret not doing this. You will never have to worry about money again. Tons of finance guys are sick skiers and often are huge weekend warriors.

I'm not turning down the job, and i said that in the last paragraph of my original post. This post was more of a medium for me to get on here and bitch about how i didn't find out about this site soon enough, and how i wished i had more time to enjoy skiing.

I'm going to shoot for MM PE out west after my 2-3 years in banking. I have no urge to stick around and go to associate/make a career out of IB.

 

[7springsprod]

I'm doing the make real life money then go skiing route right now. I've skiied 2 times in the last 3 seasons. I feel out of touch but I'm super excited cause I'm doing great for myself and next season I'll be able to get some time to start skiing again!

 

[Park.]

If the money you make will bring you that happiness that you are looking for then I would go for the job. If you are as passionate about skiing as me ( you will realize that there is always a way to make it despite your position), then go ski my friend. Growing up is hitting you much harder than alot of people I know and im a bit too young to experience what you are feeling, but I can say that I have had some immense regrets because I chose the path that "made more sense". It sounds to me like you like the career path that you have laid out enough to not hate yourself for picking one or the other, so again I can't closely relate, but if I have truly learned something about making your own choices, it is that you will regret not doing what will make you happy more so than not.

OP, your credentials sound highly desireable and fairly elite. This means that your window for opportunities is huge even if you feel like taking this job is your only choice. More jobs, although some not necessarily as high paying will be out there. I mean if I were interviewing someone I would love to hear that they did what they loved for a year to show some personality at a level of self respect that very little seem to have. Unfortunately corporate America has greed as the primary focus so what I just said is meaningless, but thats a different conversation in itself.

To finish, I will refer to Mr. Alan Watts..( im on mobile so just gona put a link up)

Dont do something to go on with a life that you dont love.
https://vimeo.com/63961985

This could pave the way for the rest of your life... Or it might not.