Burnout in banking is a serious issue, and one former Citi analyst's story highlights a harsh reality: sometimes, it's all about the money. Vitoria Okuyama, who left her investment banking role at the young age of 24, offers a candid look into the pressures and motivations that drive many into the high-stakes world of finance.
It's no secret that the banking industry is notorious for its demanding work environment. Long hours and often unfulfilling work can leave many questioning the purpose of it all. But what happens when the driving force isn't passion, but financial necessity?
In a conversation with Lazo Cetnik, CEO of Pretraga Partners, on the Merger Talks podcast, Okuyama shared a pivotal moment from her youth. At 17, she qualified for the US Open but couldn't participate due to a lack of funds. This experience profoundly shaped her future. "I always had the motivation that I never wanted money to stop me from doing anything again," she explained. When she learned about investment banking, she saw it as the highest-paying job she knew. "It was a no-brainer. I didn’t care about what I had to do or what it looked like," she admitted. "It was definitely the money motivation for me.”
Okuyama's talent as a tennis player was undeniable; at one point, she ranked 118th in the world. However, lacking the financial backing to pursue her passion, banking became her path forward.
“The hours were pretty brutal,” she recalled, describing working from 10 AM to 10 PM for months on end. The toll of this relentless schedule eventually led to burnout. After a brief trip home to Brazil for carnival, she faced an especially grueling period – “three months in a row, from 10 am until 4 am every day” – starting just hours after a red-eye flight.
For Okuyama, burnout manifested as aggression, confusion, and panic attacks. She described it as being like a frog in hot water, the stress slowly building until it became unbearable. She realized the importance of taking time off. "When you cross that line, you cannot just go back to normal. You truly need to stop and recover, and it’s easier to repair than to rebuild.”
Her recovery journey included a trip to Peru, where she embraced yoga and Ayahuasca. Ultimately, she was denied a promotion to associate and transitioned into becoming an influencer.
But here's where it gets controversial... Okuyama's story raises a significant question: Is the pursuit of financial security a valid reason to enter a demanding field like investment banking, even if it comes at the cost of personal well-being? Or should passion and fulfillment always take precedence?
And this is the part most people miss... The reality is that the financial industry often attracts individuals motivated by money. Okuyama's experience offers a stark reminder of the potential consequences of prioritizing financial gain over personal fulfillment.
What are your thoughts? Do you think financial motivation is a justifiable reason to enter a high-pressure career? Share your opinions in the comments below – we'd love to hear your perspective!
