Banking with chronic health issues
Hey WSO,
I'm 22 and male and will be interning at a BB in NY this summer.
Yesterday, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis by an endocrinologist. Basically, having Hashimoto's means that my thyroid glands will slowly degrade to the point of failure. No known cause and i'll have it the rest of my life. Your thyroids are necessary for basically everything in your body, and so Hashimoto's creates the effect of being chronically fatigued and perpetually "burnt out" basically for the rest of your life if left untreated.
Hashimoto's has made me feel like shit for the last 6 months. I used to be the type of guy you'd expect working at a BB, but now I've hardly been able to go to class for about three months and have had to make a lot of lifestyle changes in order to live a normal life. The lifestyle changes have helped, but I still have probably 30% less stamina than I used to. My doctor is going to put me on artificial thyroid hormone to solve this, which should theoretically solve the problem but then again my underlying condition will only get worse over time, it's lifelong, and I'm only 22 now.
For obvious reasons, I am concerned about my career choices. Part of me feels like trying to be a banker or in finance more generally while having Hashimoto's is like trying to be a runner with an artificial leg. I believe in always focusing in on your strengths, and I am concerned that, even with treatment, the great work stamina I used to have may not be my strength going forward. It's possible that thyroid medicine will help me and plenty of people respond well to treatment, but I can't know for certain. Plenty of people end up suffering despite the medicine.
What should I do? Should I still pursue my career ambitions? Part of me thinks I should take the strengths I still have elsewhere in a field that is less demanding. I plan to have a good attitude about this and I am NOT going to give up easily in the face of a setback. Please give me the opinions that you feel are honestly the truth - I will not be offended and just want to hear opinions to help me make the best overall decision.
I have a progressive kidney thing, I'm about to go into mega debt for a top business school. I figure that, sure my health will give out (probably in my 40's or 50's, will need transplant or dialysis by then), but I'd rather see how high I can climb, than spend my life regretting not trying.
Since I have dealt with a significant issue once before, (and currently) I will offer a couple of thoughts here.
First, as noted above, your Doctor should play a prominent role in your decision especially with your new medication regimen ahead. Your focus should be getting this situation under control and managed before anything else. With your health optimized you will be able to make clear decisions. Trying to make this decision without being on the medication and having the dosage settled may provide a distorted view of your capabilities or lack thereof.
Health first. Other stuff later.
Depending how your condition management goes you need to be aware that this will have some changes to your thought process and risk taking. This may not be relevant, but your decision making process will be altered by your self perception, the impact of the condition on you physically and mentally. This can be a negative in some career choices, but it can also be a positive in others.
You will have some lifestyle changes ahead, as you are already aware, and maybe more. You may want to examine a direction that allows you to maximize your lifestyle needs and choices. This may or may not involve IB.
I believe John Templeton was chronically sick in his early years, and this shaped his decisions and career choices. There are many other brilliant individuals who were able to take circumstance and shape a future rich with opportunity and insight. I would encourage you to read about them. You may find some inspiration and direction.
Guard the information about your condition carefully. You will be shocked how poorly informed most people are about things like this and how their idea of you and what is happening can be shaped by it. As one person noted: people suck. But really it's that people have their own idea about things and project them on others. If your condition is well managed, you will not have to mention it to an employer or anyone else.
I like your attitude. I would simply encourage you not to emotionally invest yourself in banking or any other direction as the be all and end all. Rather look at your situation, interests and see where there may be a fit. With the right attitude and a well manged condition, you can have a rich future ahead of you...maybe even in a direction you had not previously considered.