[michaelochurch]

Most programmers in NYC could get a raise going to Wall Street. They don't do it because they don't like the abuse.

Wall Street is, on the whole, less abusive these days than VC-istan. However, it is more selective. Also, the chances for rapid career progress aren't there. You can make as much money, but you certainly won't be leading a team at 27 in a hedge fund; whereas if you are 27 and not at least a "tech lead" in VC-istan, you've lost.

Don't rule out finance based on its reputation, because it's not as bad as it's made out to be, especially relative to the other high-paying options. I've seen both and engineers are treated worse, on average, in the VC-funded world than in the hedge funds.