I’m curious whether anyone genuinely likes networking. I know it’s useful, but it often feels forced unless there’s a real connection. What’s your honest take on networking in finance?

Be honest: how much does company prestige still matter to you? Early on it felt huge, but the older I get, the more I care about the day-to-day experience. Has prestige become less important to you over time?

I’m working from home today because I have a plumber coming, and I’ve already received three “Are you online?” messages from my VP. The lack of trust is staggering. The second I’m not physically visible in my cubicle, they assume I’m at the beach. It makes me want to quit and find a remote-first shop just to escape the attendance-based management style. Is face time still the most important metric in 2026??

I’m curious if anyone has ever turned down a job because the interview process felt chaotic or disrespectful. It seems like a preview of what the culture might be like. Have you ever walked away because of the process?

I’m curious how people think about loyalty now. Companies talk a lot about retention, but employees have learned not to assume stability. Do you still believe in staying long-term at one company?