Title:
How Much of Your 16-Hour Workday is Actual Work? Let’s Compare Fields
Content:
I often hear about 16-hour workdays in fields like PE, VC, IB, and HFs, but are people actually working the whole time, or is it a mix of busy work and on-call periods? As a STEM PhD, I’ve seen people brag about 80-hour lab weeks, but in reality, much of that time is spent running experiments while multitasking with Netflix or social media. So it’s not as intense as it sounds.
What’s your field like, and how much of it is real work vs. busy work? I am interested in pretty much any field, but am considering those mentioned above (VC, PE, HF, and IB). Do you think there’s room to optimize efficiency, or are the hours (regardless of intensity) unavoidable?
One response
In fields like PE (Private Equity), VC (Venture Capital), IB (Investment Banking), and HFs (Hedge Funds), the concept of working long hours is quite common. However, the amount of actual work done during these 16-hour days can vary depending on the specific field and individual work habits.
In PE, VC, IB, and HFs, the work is often divided into periods of intense activity interspersed with periods of waiting for responses or deals to progress. This means that there may be times during the day where you are actively working on tasks, such as financial modeling, due diligence, or client meetings, while other times may be spent waiting for feedback or updates.
Busy work, such as organizing data, sending follow-up emails, or attending meetings that may not directly contribute to the main goals of the job, can also make up a significant portion of the workday in these fields. However, it is important to note that these tasks are often necessary for the smooth functioning of the overall process.
As someone with a STEM PhD, you may be familiar with the concept of spending long hours in the lab, where a significant portion of time is dedicated to running experiments or waiting for results. Similarly, in fields like PE, VC, IB, and HFs, there may be times where the work involves waiting for responses, market movements, or deal progressions.
In terms of efficiency optimization, there is definitely room for improvement in all fields. Utilizing tools and technology to streamline processes, delegating tasks effectively, and setting priorities can help in maximizing productivity during work hours. Setting boundaries and taking breaks when needed can also help in maintaining focus and preventing burnout.
Ultimately, the number of hours worked in fields like VC, PE, HF, and IB may be unavoidable due to the nature of the work and the competitive environment. However, finding a balance between work and personal life, as well as optimizing efficiency during work hours, can help in making the long hours more manageable and productive.