A business execution consultant dies on her desk in her cubicle, and nobody notices until they smell the foul odor on the floor. Such is the state of work culture in one of the top American financial institutions. Similarly, a 21-year-old German student died in a shower due to an epileptic seizure that may have been triggered by extreme exhaustion and fatigue from working 3 consecutive days without sleeping.

Cases like these are becoming common across the global financial institutions. Aspiring students study hard, work even harder, and get into top financial corporations. Still, the only thing that does not let them quit is their love for numbers or the numbers in their bank accounts. Finance is undoubtedly a sought-after career option because it is hard to automate, and businesses trust people more than technology. However, there are hard truths to chasing your dream finance job.

The Dream vs. the Reality

An entry-level finance employee often earns $60,000 to $70,000 annually, which is well above the national average for entry-level jobs. Although these numbers depend on location, specialization, certifications, business requirements, and other factors, it is still a career that can provide a decent standard of living. From high salaries to prestige, this career offers a lot.

Most B-schools promote finance as a suitable path for highly ambitious minds. However, when you enter the industry, reality hits. You might be the most intelligent person, but you will have to work long hours, endure constant pressure, and have minimal personal time. It is like working in an "American Psycho" movie, except for the intrusive thoughts part.

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Why Finance Professionals Feel Burned Out

In most financial companies, clocking in 60-80 hours per week is the norm, especially in the investment banks and big corporations. When you work in such an environment, you do end up with good money but burnout, which is no longer rare. Although some careers, like Asset Management, Financial Planning & Analysis, or Compliance, may offer better work-life balance, careers in auditing and corporate finance are usually taxing.

What makes these careers stressful are tight deadlines, client-facing scenarios, compliance pressure, and substantial financial decisions. Anxiety, emotional tiredness, and insomnia are among the issues that many professionals report. Some might think it's a way to avoid complex tasks. Chronic mental and even physical illnesses can result from these burnouts. They occur because systems treat people like emotionless machines with no time for healing, not because people are weak.

Is Stress Really Necessary?

Everyone is obsessed with early retirement plans, yet they do not know their life expectancy. Some feel that if they work 80 hours a week, they might buy themselves some time. But the truth is nobody knows their life trajectory. Accidents, sickness, heartbreak, or depression happen. And you forget what you wanted your life to be like. Whether you like it or not, life is unexpected, and one needs to value what they're doing in it for themselves.

People who support a high-pressure financial culture argue that it fosters accuracy and accountability. It can be true because a single financial mistake can cost companies millions, so precision is the key. Nevertheless, research suggests that prolonged exposure to extreme stress reduces productivity over time. It's not the hours but the output that gives better results. Burnouts can lead to poor decision-making, higher error rates, and high employee turnover. Thus, we ask, "Is this stress essential?"

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What role does work culture in finance play?

It is not just an American thing to work long hours; it's everywhere, from the United Kingdom to Singapore, Japan, and even India. However, in Canada, Australia, and many Schengen countries, there is a good work-life balance due to strong labor laws and an emphasis on happiness. So, work culture does play a massive role in finance careers.

In many financial firms, job performance is less about work and more about being busy. Even if being busy costs you more, it gives no additional value to the business. People who leave the office on time are often judged and sometimes considered low-ambitious. This creates a silent competition over who can endure more stress. Many employees avoid mental health discussions because of their fear of appearing feeble.

How to thrive in finance careers without burning out?

The purpose of this blog is not to discourage people from choosing finance careers. In fact, the industry does need people with high integrity, creativity, and persistence. However, treat your body like a temple, as long hours of stress can trigger medical conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, anxiety, digestive issues, sleep disorders, and even weak metabolism.

In finance, work-life balance is real. Although it may not pay as much as investment banking, jobs in FP&A, Fintech, and credit unions offer a stable standard of living. To prevent the unavoidable burnout, you can adjust through hybrid models, wellness initiatives, and niche changes.