Groundhog Day: Love It or Leave It
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In my early years I came to the City as an aspiring banker and earned enough money to buy killer shoes and designer hand bags, and I was content. What better career was there? Back then I was utterly oblivious to a fact that now intrigues me every single day...
I worked on a desk with other twenty-, thirty- and forty-somethings, nothing new. But recently, something has started to dawn on me. No surprises, I still work with other twenty-, thirty- and forty-somethings; however, the only thirty- and forty-somethings are men.
Where have all the women gone?
I can’t help but wonder that the women have just found something better to do. Am I surprised they’ve disappeared from the City? No. City life is good - for a while. But not forever, which is why I’m looking for the Corporate exit.
Have they chosen different career paths or become budding entrepreneurs? Or are they really just at home popping out babies, or lunching? In an age where couples have come to rely on two salaries, not even as a luxury but as a necessity, I don’t think so - there is a recession on, as we all know.
So let me think back to Investment Bank number one of my career. There were two women on my desk. Seven girls but two 'real women' (if over thirty is the qualifying factor). One left the firm to set up her own card company and the other married a rich Swiss trader on the desk downstairs. Hmmmm - I don’t have one creative bone in my body and I already have a husband. No, no. I definitely don’t want to trade him in. So what else?
Let’s consider Investment bank number two. That’s easy. There was one 'real woman' - she got the flick. No, I definitely don’t fancy that option either.
And now number three. No 'real women' except for soon to be - me. I clearly need to find another career path (soon) or I have to persuade my husband to let me join the ladies that lunch. (As nice as it sounds, I’m not sure I’m quite up for the nappy changing just yet.)
We assume the City is male dominated profession by choice, but now I think the women are the ones who’ve got it right. Groundhog Day, every single day for the next twenty years? Ouch.
Where have all the women gone?
I can’t help but wonder that the women have just found something better to do. Am I surprised they’ve disappeared from the City? No. City life is good - for a while. But not forever, which is why I’m looking for the Corporate exit.
Have they chosen different career paths or become budding entrepreneurs? Or are they really just at home popping out babies, or lunching? In an age where couples have come to rely on two salaries, not even as a luxury but as a necessity, I don’t think so - there is a recession on, as we all know.
So let me think back to Investment Bank number one of my career. There were two women on my desk. Seven girls but two 'real women' (if over thirty is the qualifying factor). One left the firm to set up her own card company and the other married a rich Swiss trader on the desk downstairs. Hmmmm - I don’t have one creative bone in my body and I already have a husband. No, no. I definitely don’t want to trade him in. So what else?
Let’s consider Investment bank number two. That’s easy. There was one 'real woman' - she got the flick. No, I definitely don’t fancy that option either.
And now number three. No 'real women' except for soon to be - me. I clearly need to find another career path (soon) or I have to persuade my husband to let me join the ladies that lunch. (As nice as it sounds, I’m not sure I’m quite up for the nappy changing just yet.)
We assume the City is male dominated profession by choice, but now I think the women are the ones who’ve got it right. Groundhog Day, every single day for the next twenty years? Ouch.
Here Is The Writer : Accidental Accountant
Accidental Accountant is a twenty-something City girl parading the trading floors of investment banks, wondering everyday how she came to be here. She has been playing the corporate game for the last five years, has a passion for fashion, a fondness for partying, and a love/hate affair with City life. If you’ve ever thought you didn’t quite fit in, welcome to her world (and feel free to get in touch).
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