my staffer keeps assigning me to isolation booths for ‘focus time’, but I’m burning out without peer connections. seniors - how did you cultivate your underground support systems in hyper-competitive environments? looking for tactical advice beyond ‘get a mentor’ corporate speak.
Back in my JPM days, my ‘accountability crew’ formed over the 23rd floor snack bar. We used code phrases like ‘grabbing kitkats’ to signal SOS moments. Still meet those guys yearly - they’re all MDs now. Start with coffee walks but keep it casual - formal mentorships get tracked by HR.
i made a secret slack chan with 3 other analysts!! we share burnout memes & warn abt toxic seniors. HR would freak but it saves our sanity 