Do You Regret Working In Finance?

A Reddit poster recently asked if financial professionals regretted their decision to work in the industry.

“I ask because it’s not the first field that comes to mind when I think of altruism, and bankers don’t come out of their career thinking they’ve made a tangible difference to society or helped anyone (like a doctor or a civil lawyer),” the poster explained.

The early responses to the post have been mixed, but there are generally three attitudes on the subject from the finance community. The first attitude is that plenty of members of the finance world actually do perform a positive, helpful and productive duty.

“I literally help companies and countries stay solvent,” one poster wrote of his job. “I really love my job and I think I have done a lot more good than most people can do.”

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The second attitude is that the job itself is not necessarily changing the world for the good, but the high salary opens the door for good deeds in your personal life.

“A good income and stable career allows you the ability to have an impact outside of work, and to contribute to causes financially,” one poster explained.

Finally, some posters openly admit to regretting the decision to go into finance. “I feel like I’m wasting my talent,” one poster confessed. “I’m contributing nothing to society other than making money for clients.”

Regardless of which career you have chosen, sites like 80000hours.org can give you ideas about how to use your career to make a positive social impact.