TimeOut

Be it qualitative aspects, such as helping out your peers and colleagues-- to quantitative aspects like learning something and being good at it at work.

Not sure what a IB is but it sounds like you got a new job so Congrats!

In my field, practice management consults/courses were very helpful when I started out.  Networking helps to build and expand.  Of course being involved in philanthropic projects is always great (not just for your job but for yourself).  There are others but on the subject of recent events, not burning bridges would be a good one.  You have only one reputation, might as well keep it a good one.

-MW

Hi Ming woo,

Great to hear that you are doing a good deed for those in need.  We have something similar here called the L.A. Mission that we support.  ACS (American Cancer Society) and LLS (Lymphoma and Leukemia Society) are great organizations to be involved in.

-MW

...retire early.

 

Had a great time in advertising and marketing. The mid '80s through late '90s was a great time to be in the business...lots of clients spending way too much money on things that just didn't matter. Budgets were fat and they had money to burn. If you've ever watched Mad Men, I had Don Draper's job. It was stressful but fun. We knew what needed to be done to achieve a client’s goal and clients didn't stop us from spending their money to accomplish it.

 

Then things changed. Or more specifically, the economy changed. Clients merged and consolidated. They tightened the reins on expenses to the point where they were giving up market share, resulting, of course, in even more budget cuts.

 

Advertising had changed for good and it took a lot of restructuring at the ad agency to be able to deal with the new paradigm. I had to eliminate positions and reassign others, rewriting job descriptions for employees who were at a stage in their lives where change was difficult for them. But we did it and the agency soldiered on. But it wasn't fun anymore. The heyday of advertising...the advertising you see in Mad Men...was over. The fun was gone.

 

So, nine years ago, when I was 44, I retired. And it was the best thing I've ever done. I spend every day with my wife. Every day with my kids. We have fun. We enjoy each other’s company.

 

The old days...my advertising days...are so far behind me now that it's almost like a dream. I love my new life, and although without my old salary the money doesn't flow like it used to, so I may never be able to afford that Dufour Simplicity I lust after...I do love this new life.

 

Emil 

This message has been edited by Emil Wojcik on 2013-04-21 07:52:17 This message has been edited by Emil Wojcik on 2013-04-21 07:55:16

10 episodes showing more real world environment competition between two firms fighting for the client. ... At least that is how it is portrayed... I'm not in the industry. Very interesting and it is based on more recent times as you as described

...haven't heard of that one. I'll have to check it out.

hope you did not have the same personal indiscretions of the Draper!! -

...the only thing I shared with Don Draper was the job. This message has been edited by Emil Wojcik on 2013-04-23 16:10:26

...I felt more passion, and that I still love. If you can swing it, working for passion, and not being solely motivated by money is more rewarding in the long run.

Cheers,
Daos

... in the workplace that you HAVE to enjoy it, at least on some level. Otherwise life would be miserable.

I agree with you completely.

Andrew

...feeling passionate about what you do, takes a little of the sting out of those long, problem-filled occasions that sometimes pop-up at the office!

Cheers,
Daos

back stabbing, and I have been with the same FI for 16 years now and counting. My first job since graduation. I used to believe in self-actualisation which I still do. It is one theory and practice which has sustained my work ethics and survival in one of the hardest working conglomerates in this country.

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“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race” Calvin Coolidge

investment bank

Think faster than you talk and don't talk faster than you think
Climb the ladder whichever ladder without stepping on anyone's head
Articulate corporate politics
Do what u say and mean what you say
Be honest about your intentions
Don't get bullied cos investment banking can be tough and a very competitive environment.

Sorry, I am not a bearer of good news....Sunset industry...only growth area macro wise is audit, compliance, legal and risk. The whole industry is facing massive governmental challenges and a suffocating regulatory environment.also, the days of regulatory arbitrage are over too, intergovernmental and central banks and regulators are all cooperating to clamp down. Days of super normal profits are over mate...unless you are in those above mentioned sector. For too long we have ripped off consumers and end users....the revenge of Glass-Steagall is at hand!!! Hedgies and commodity firms and non traditional credit is the way to go.

but.. I'm looking to break into a front office role in the future. just for interest rather than for anything else.

And forget about front office, unless you have a great sponsor cum mentor....it's a bloodbath, and many disgruntled front line people. It's the end of an era.