Just a comment on the final point. Most investment bankers don't hate their jobs, most love their jobs. If you hate the job and are just in it for the money you'll burn out and drop out pretty quickly. Investment Banking is pretty much dominated by people who love doing what they do, probably more so than the vast majority of other industries.
I can only go on personal and anecdotal experience, but having known a lot of investment bankers, I cannot agree with this at all. After a few years, the folks who truly love it are a definite minority. But many get snared by money/lifestyle. I see the same in management consulting where I get told over and over "I'm just here until I figure out what I really want to do"
There is a big difference in ibanking between analysts, associates, and the guys who are at the higher levels.
The bottom pole hates their lives, because they tend to work a lot. And are the glorified excel junkies as you put it. On the upper level, you don't do the busy work, and you spend your time going around the world doing deals.
