How hard is it to switch industries in IB? infrastructure to tech / healthcare?

I’ve had the experience working in Infrastructure IB for 1 year now and realized I’m not very passionate about it. While I’m not sure what groups I’m interested in, I am initially thinking Tech / Healthcare.

Assuming I don’t want to stay at my company, it possible to recruit for another bank’s industry group? If so, what’s the best way to position the reason for the change? I imagine it will be difficult as I only have infra related deals experience (hydro, wind farms, hydrogen, PPPs, etc.)

Any insight you could share would be greatly appreciate as I don’t have people I can chat to regarding this.

 

In past years, it probably would have been a bit difficult - but now all bets are off. There are regular corp fin people with no IB experience getting hired rn at BBs (especially tech groups). 

There's people who've successfully lateraled (in recent months) from non-IB roles like ABS or whatever. Even though Infra isn't exactly tech, it's not like you need to somehow spin your story perfectly to connect the two. 

You like banking, thought you liked Infra, realized you didn't - and now want to do tech because it's more relevant or it's going through a growth phase or whatever. That story is fine. What matters more is probably typical interview (technicals/behavorials) stuff. 

Ironically, I am in a tech group at a BB and realized I want to do infra...we should switch!

 

Just curious, why infra over tech for you? And how does infra align with what you wanna do after banking?

 

I really appreciate you say that. Would you be able to share what your experience of tech has been like and why you are wanting to switch to Infra?

With Infra, I do appreciate how renewable energy will have a massive tailwind for next 20+ years and a lot of the projects are having a positive impact on society. I’m just unsure if I have the technical competency when dealing with certain models (e.g. social housing PPP models) where there are 15+ tabs with 2k+ line items.

Also, due to the asset class having predominately defensive stable cash flows, I’ve started to realize that total comp is less than what other industries pay (PE for instance). Not sure if this is an accurate perspective, but what I’ve been able to find out through conversations with others.

 
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