<p>Hi, I am hoping to start a family someday, probably in my twenties and thus the hours and stress associated with Investment Banking (90 hour weeks) do not appeal to me despite the compensation. What are some slightly less taxing careers in business that still pay a comfortable amount, obviously not as much but a comfortable amount? I am not looking to be lazy but do want to have time for a wife and kids, at least on the weekends. I will be a graduate of Duke University with a double major in Economics and History if that helps at all. Hopefully someone can provide some insight.. thanks!</p>
<p>Just about any Fortune 500 company for starters.</p>
<p>try mergers and acquisitions if you can land a job</p>
<p>M&A is part of IB</p>
<p>^^ not entirely. I bankers work in M and A but my father was in M and A for a large corporation for 15 years and he wasn't an investment banker(I believe he was more on the strategy side of things). Lawyers are also common in M and A departments.</p>
<p>People talk about IBanking on here a lot, but very few people will ever do it nor even really desire to do it once they fully grasp what it is. There are thousands upon thousands of different business jobs, each of which have the potential to help you achieve personal wealth. You need to figure out what you enjoy or at least what you don't think you would enjoy (finance, marketing, accounting, management, IT, operations, real estate, etc).</p>
<p>S&T! fewer hours, same pay!</p>
<p>Which stands for? (sales and trading?)</p>
<p>indeed it does</p>
<p>S&T.. more stress..</p>
<p>i think the op wants something that really isn't related to IB.. haha.
anyway, i would say go for consulting, but there's A LOT of travel involved, which isn't good for relationships and families.</p>
<p>so i would have to say careers in corporate finance or accounting. salary levels aren't going to be nearly as high when you start, but you're going to duke. i'm sure you'll be fine.</p>
<p>consulting? the hours can be just as bad</p>
<p>Retail can provide you with a nice paycheck for not as many hours. You will need to work your way up, though.</p>
<p>Asset management? PWM is probably rather relaxed...On the other hand hedge funds will offer similar (or better) pay, less hours, but much more stress.</p>
<p>southpasdena, you tool.</p>
<p>i said consulting wouldn't be good for him because he wants to start a family.</p>
<p>lets not beat around the bush, aspirant.</p>
<p>I love this thread because it's the only one in business forum that even acknowledges there are alternatives to IB.</p>
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anyway, i would say go for consulting, but there's A LOT of travel involved, which isn't good for relationships and families
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<p>You did not mention hours, only travel</p>
<p>And if it is a job that your have classified as family unfriendly, and that is something that the op is trying to stay away from, why even mention it?</p>
<p>Move into the treasury function at any Fortune 500 company. </p>
<p>It takes a real high level of analytical knowledge (which apparently you have), but the work hours are about the easiest in the finance area, in my view.</p>