At elite universities, fewer MBA and finance candidates are willing to even consider a life of missed weddings, busted romances and deep-into-the-night deal negotiations. The percentage of Harvard Business School graduates entering investment banking, sales or trading dropped to 5 percent last year from 12 percent in 2006, while those entering technology almost tripled to 18 percent during that period.
“It’s definitely not worth the money,” says Curtis, 34, who now runs a career advice and networking website called WallStreetOasis.com. “You’re working 90 hours a week on average. It can go up to 120 when it’s really bad. Is it worth it? No.”