Corporate Temerity - Operations Analyst Goldman Sachs Employee Review

Don’t get me wrong, I was well aware of the reputation Goldman Sachs has for the type of work environment the company promotes. After all, it is a world-renowned bank that takes pride in excellence by hiring top talent and dominating the financial markets. Nevertheless, the company’s prestige should not exonerate the draconian style of management I had the displeasure of experiencing during my tenure there as a humble analyst. If you are a compassionate being and aren’t a soulless Type A enthusiast who centers his or her life around self-image, climbing the corporate ladder, and trampling over those he or she views as lesser than, then please, spare yourself the emotional abuse, tears, impending therapy, and apply elsewhere. Lamentably, I was placed on one of the worst teams unbeknownst to me as I wasn’t made aware of what kind of team I would be working with until my first week of work. Everything was tumultuous from the beginning, all the way to the bittersweet end. I found out right away that the team was short-staffed as staff members were dropping like flies left and right from the role due to this reprobate manager with a raging superiority complex who would test you frequently under the guise of prepping you to learn the material to do your job. Some people make excellent worker bees but horrendous managers (not everyone can be Queen). Sure, you can learn the ins and outs of your role, and be a pivotal contact person for information and how to handle projects, but in no way shape, or form do you have the capabilities to manage and support a team of inexperienced people. The organization does a poor job of vetting who has the qualifications to become a manager. Goldman blindly hands out the title to anyone who performs well enough in their role without considering whether they have the emotional capacity to help others. At this company, your experience is highly dependent on the team you are placed in. If you do end up in a lackluster team, forget getting assistance from your manager—It’s every person for themselves, and you will be fighting a battle every day. There is a clear hierarchy where if you are not well-liked it will be made known, and those in power, despite how unbearable it is to work with them will be favored and they will resist making changes to satisfy you to protect this person. Someone with considerably less experience but higher tenure in the company and who is new to the team will be shown favoritism and given grace for their mistakes meanwhile you’re chopped liver, not allowed to ask for help, and left to sink on your own. GS manages to lure in susceptible young talent just before graduating college because they know they can utilize their distinguished name to entice these young people; new grads will undervalue themselves for the sake of having a job that could potentially help propel them far later in their developing careers. I endured racism, microaggressions, rude comments unrelated to my work, micromanaging, and fearmongering over the threat of getting fired. During my time here I lost a significant amount of weight, had frequent nightmares, and perpetually high cortisol levels every waking day I walked into that dreadful office.