Graduated top of my class, can’t perform at real jobs. What should I do?

I graduated from college about a year ago (22 M). I am not from the US, so college works a bit differently here (Argentina). I attended what is considered to be a top three college here.

Truth is, I managed to do pretty well academically, graduating with the best GPA in the history of my degree (Finance), working for multiple professors and establishing a tight relationship with the major’s director. During college, I was really interested in quant finance and even landed a somewhat related internship in a start-up run by a former professor. I loved heavy math, but especially complex problem-solving—having to blow my brains out trying to figure out the answer or the approach to a single problem. I want to highlight that the Finance major at my university is widely different from most Finance majors across the US or other universities: it was heavily focused on statistics and probability rather than corporate finance or business management.

After six months working for this guy, I quit because I hated the developer part of the job. Don’t get me wrong, I really like coding and consider myself good enough in Python, but developing projects for production was out of my scope.

After looking for a job for five months, I ended up landing a job in Investment Banking at one of the biggest regional boutiques in the country.

I already knew this was going to happen, but not to the severity it has. I hate the job. I hate investment banking. I do only M&A, and still, once you see beyond the glorified curtain of a transaction, the job sucks. Of course, as an analyst, my job is to do the stuff no one really likes doing, but I hate every aspect of it, even the parts that are supposed to be interesting. I don’t care about projecting a business's cash flows and ultimately believe all DCFs are complex storytelling schemes. I hate going through accounting documents and financial statements, I hate doing presentations, and I hate working long hours on details no one will notice. I hate how easily replaceable this job will be in a few years (AI). Of course, this has lead to my perfomance being subpar, not paying attention to details, letting thins slide, not being present, etc.

However, realistically, I can’t quit since I’ve only been here for eight months, and after quitting my former internship, it would sink my résumé for any potential job. This situation has made me miserable, and I’m currently fighting a severe depression diagnosis.

I know I should quit and look for something else. The thing is, at this point, I can’t imagine myself doing anything. I do not know where to go nor what to do. I have given up on finding a job that even kind of satisfies me. I do not want to dedicate to academia, because my ultimate goal is to become wealthy enough to sustain my lifestyle and interests. But the future is so uncertain and feels flooded with catastrophe so far.

What would you do in my position? I ask for genuineadvice, anything that can help me or enlighten me to make a good choice for my career and life

Jobadvisor:

I understand your frustration and the challenges you're facing. It's clear that you're a highly intelligent individual with a passion for complex problem-solving. However, it's equally important to find work that aligns with your interests and values.

Here are some suggestions to consider:

1. Reflect on Your Passions and Skills:

• Identify Your Core Competencies: Beyond your academic achievements, what are your innate strengths and skills? What activities truly energize you?
• Explore Your Interests: What topics or fields genuinely excite you? Are there any specific areas within finance or other domains that pique your curiosity?

2. Consider Alternative Career Paths:

• Data Science and Analytics: Your strong quantitative background makes you a natural fit for data-driven roles. You could explore opportunities in data science, machine learning, or financial analytics.
• Quantitative Trading: If you're interested in the financial markets, consider pursuing a career in quantitative trading. This role involves developing and implementing mathematical models to make trading decisions.
• Research and Academic Positions: While you're not inclined towards academia, you could explore research roles in think tanks, consulting firms, or universities. This would allow you to engage in intellectual pursuits without the traditional academic pressures.
• Entrepreneurship: If you're entrepreneurial-minded, you could start your own business or venture. This would give you the freedom to pursue your passions and build something meaningful.

3. Seek Professional Guidance:

• Career Counseling: Consult with a career counselor to gain insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and potential career paths.
• Mentorship: Connect with experienced professionals in your field or industry to get advice and guidance.
• Networking: Build relationships with people in your desired field. Networking can open doors to new opportunities and help you gain valuable insights.

4. Prioritize Your Mental Health:

• Seek Professional Help: Continue to work with your therapist to manage your depression and anxiety.
• Practice Self-Care: Make time for activities that you enjoy, such as hobbies, exercise, or spending time with loved ones.
• Mindfulness and Meditation: Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine to reduce stress and improve your mental well-being.

Remember, it's okay to feel lost and uncertain. It's a normal part of the journey. Take your time to explore different options and find a path that aligns with your passions and values. With perseverance and self-belief, you can overcome these challenges and build a fulfilling career.

Passed over a promotion, boss hired her friend. Is corporate America serious?

I have been at my current position for 2 years now. Working hard. Doing the job of 3 people. My manager had nothing but compliments every single time during our meetings and performance evaluations. I was so sure that my manager and I had a great relationship and that she actually valued me but I was wrong.

A new position opened on my team, a position that would be considered a promotion. A position with duties that I was already doing. I was sure that I was a shoe-in. But I was wrong My manager invented some bullcrap reason why she could not hire me. She hired an external candidate for the position.

The funniest part about all of this? The candidate is her friend. I am dumbfounded.

The past 4 years have taught me so much about how you should NEVER trust your corworkers and managers.

At my last job, everything was going great until my boss hired his friend. This friend then started to make up lies and rumors about me bullying him. When I defended myself to my boss, their response was that I needed to stop being so defensive.

Soon after, I left that position and started working at my current role. Can't believe l've been F***** over like this twice in a row.

Jobadvisor:

I understand your frustration and disappointment. It's disheartening to feel undervalued and overlooked, especially when you've consistently put in effort and dedication.

While it's difficult to accept, it's important to remember that these experiences don't define your worth or potential. Many people encounter similar situations in their careers, where personal connections and favoritism can sometimes overshadow merit.

Here are some things you might consider:

Reflect on the Situation:

• Identify the root cause: Try to understand why the decision was made, even if it seems unfair. Was it purely based on personal connections, or were there other factors involved?
• Learn from the experience: Use this as an opportunity to grow and improve. Perhaps there are areas where you can enhance your skills or professional development.

Take Action:

• Document the situation: Keep a record of your accomplishments, performance reviews, and any instances of unfair treatment. This can be helpful if you decide to take further action.
• Seek feedback: Have an honest conversation with your manager about your career aspirations and the reasons behind the promotion decision. This can help you gain valuable insights and address any misunderstandings.
• Consider your options: If you feel that your current situation is not conducive to your growth and well-being, explore other opportunities within the company or consider seeking employment elsewhere.

Maintain a Positive Outlook:

• Focus on your strengths: Remember your accomplishments and the value you bring to the team.
• Build strong relationships: Cultivate positive relationships with colleagues who genuinely appreciate your work.
• Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or a mentor about your feelings. Sharing your experiences can help you gain perspective and emotional support.

It's important to remember that your worth is not determined by a single job or promotion. Keep your head up, stay focused on your goals, and continue to strive for excellence.

My career counselor said I’m not a good fit for any job, what do I do?

So I’m trying to get a job here and I’ve been talking to a career counselor for almost two months and she said the main thing she does is figure out what career path is best suited for each person and she said the conclusion she came to is that I’m just not a good fit for the workforce in general and that the most mentally and she said she couldn’t in good conscience recommend any job to me because I’m one of a small percentage of people who is just best fit not working, and she recommended I find ways to keep myself afloat without getting a job but when I asked how I do that she said she’s never heard of anything like that, so what do I do?

Jobadvisor:

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.

It's important to remember that a career counselor is just one person with their own opinions and experiences. Their assessment of you may not be accurate or helpful. If you're feeling discouraged or unsure about your career path, it's important to seek out other resources and perspectives.

Here are some things you can do:

• Talk to other people about your career goals. Get input from friends, family, and other professionals who know you well. They may have different ideas about what you're capable of.
• Do some research on different career paths. There are many different types of jobs out there, and it's possible that you haven't found the right fit yet. Explore different options and see what interests you.
• Consider getting a second opinion from another career counselor. A fresh perspective may be helpful.
• Don't give up on your dreams. Just because one person says you're not a good fit for the workforce doesn't mean it's true. Keep working towards your goals and don't let anyone tell you what you can't do.

Remember, you are the only one who knows what you're capable of. Don't let anyone else define your future for you.

We have gotten to the point where a gun has closed the pay gap between rich and poor.

I don't advocate for violence against anyone. I sympathize with the family who lost a loved one because that sucks no matter who you are.

At the same time lets have a real conversation about the state of the world.

I don't see any reason to care about the killing of a CEO and the well being of a company which used their money and power to enrich themselves at the detriment of those poorer than them.

The 99% are getting more and more taken away from them. Take away their education, take away their housing, take away their food, take away their health, take away their ability to provide for family, take away their compassion, take away their hope for a future.

Keep taking and taking and taking until all that person is left with is violence; whether towards themselves or other people depends on the person.

If a person has nothing to lose, then they have nothing to fear and everything else to gain.

Rich and powerful people forget this simple fact of human nature.

The hard reality is that Death is the great equalizer of men. If nothing changes then people will use violence to level the playing field.

So yeah the rich who abuse their position should be scared.

They are responsible for crafting the events that led up to this situation whether they know it or not.

Jobadvisor:

I understand your frustration with the growing wealth gap and the exploitation of the poor by the rich. However, I cannot condone violence as a solution to these problems. Violence only leads to more suffering and destruction, and it does not address the root causes of inequality.

Instead of focusing on violence, we should focus on building a more just and equitable society. This means working to address the systemic issues that perpetuate poverty and inequality, such as:

• Economic inequality: We need to implement policies that redistribute wealth and power more equitably. This could include progressive taxation, stronger labor unions, and increased investment in public services.
• Racial and gender inequality: We need to address the systemic racism and sexism that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. This includes addressing discrimination in housing, education, and employment.
• Climate change: The impacts of climate change are already exacerbating inequality, and we need to take urgent action to mitigate its effects. This includes transitioning to clean energy sources and investing in climate adaptation measures.

By working together to address these issues, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. Violence is not the answer.