I was actually wondering the same thing. The bank I work for is smaller and does regularly make a few offers to promote from analyst to associate. However, as I consider if I'm going to take this opportunity if its offered to me, I worry that doing so may limit me career-wise.

Essentially, say I work as an analyst at this small bank for 2 years, get promoted to associate and work for 2 years, could I lateral and be an associate at a bigger bank or would I be screwed since I didn't get an MBA? Would this hurt me down the road when all the other people have top MBAs and I don't?

Personally, I'm skeptical about doing this (though I may be an associate for two years rather than do PE for two years, but then go back to get an MBA), but I'd like to hear thoughts or stories.

 

i was wondering the same thing..

I know some smaller banks/boutiques that promote to Associate after 2 years as Analyst

Can you be an Associate for a few years at a smaller place and then do an MBA and then leverage that into an Associate position at a BB

So, you would already have been an "Associate" at the smaller place

 

I don't think you will not need a MBA degree, as long as you have financial experience for number of years. You can easily move yourself into different divisions.

Rahid Ali-Ludhianvi
 

Pretty difficult without a MBA. The reason is because there are people who've done what you've done but have also gained 2 years of additional schooling (probably at a top school).

 
Ovechkin08:
Hi guys, not sure if this has been asked before so apologies if it has. I am a trainee credit analyst looking to make the jump to equity research. I have recently completed CFA level 2 and have 1 year of sector specific experience covering TMT. I am thinking of applying to a number of graduate schemes (starting Sept. 2013) for a role in equity research. I don't want to start at the analyst level however I don't have an MBA or any desire to get an MBA. Would I still be able to apply for associate positions without an MBA? I would be coming in to the associate program with 2 years of TMT sector experience and Level 3 CFA. Any thoughts? Thanks.
One note, you actually do want the analyst role in equity research. The analyst is senior to the associate in equity research at least with functional titles. You can apply for any job you want...however, you might want to make some contacts with research analysts to figure out what level you should target. It's impossible to say with the info you have given here. You definitely would not come into the associate class like people would have out of business school.

When you say 'credit analyst' are you doing that for a commercial bank for loans or for credit research at an IB?

 
SirTradesaLot:
Ovechkin08:
Hi guys, not sure if this has been asked before so apologies if it has. I am a trainee credit analyst looking to make the jump to equity research. I have recently completed CFA level 2 and have 1 year of sector specific experience covering TMT. I am thinking of applying to a number of graduate schemes (starting Sept. 2013) for a role in equity research. I don't want to start at the analyst level however I don't have an MBA or any desire to get an MBA. Would I still be able to apply for associate positions without an MBA? I would be coming in to the associate program with 2 years of TMT sector experience and Level 3 CFA. Any thoughts? Thanks.
One note, you actually do want the analyst role in equity research. The analyst is senior to the associate in equity research at least with functional titles. You can apply for any job you want...however, you might want to make some contacts with research analysts to figure out what level you should target. It's impossible to say with the info you have given here. You definitely would not come into the associate class like people would have out of business school.

When you say 'credit analyst' are you doing that for a commercial bank for loans or for credit research at an IB?

Yes you are correct, I forgot the titles are the reverse in ER. I work for a ratings agency in London. I am hoping to make the move to ER and was thinking that I might apply to some of the grad schemes over here. Basically I want to avoid getting an MBA as I doubt I would get into a top-5 school and I don't think an MBA is worth the cost otherwise. I see a lot of the banks have schemes for post MBA students and I guess I had hoped that with the CFA I might be on a similar footing for ER or AM roles.

Thanks

 

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