BB Ops/Sales or Discounted MA in Econ (In-State)
I posted this under hedge funds, because this is ultimately where I want to end up. So here it is:
Goal: break into a Hedge Fund
Which is better?
1. BB operations (Trade processing) -> Strong MBA or CFA (or both) -> BB Trading/Asset Management -> HF
2. MA in Econ (Econometrics/Finance focus) -> Possible PhD in Econ -> BB position -> HF
MA in Econ -> some analyst position at a financial institution -> Strong MBA -> Asset Management -> HF
3. BB Sales -> ???
*My MA in Economics would be very cheap and I could finish it in a year and a half probably. I would go for an MBA now, but I only have 1 yr of full time experience and I do not want to make the mistake of going to early.
Basically where I am is trying to decide if I want to pursue work in BB operations (trade processing) or go back to school and get a MA in Econ. I have seen several positions at BB's specifically requesting Masters in Math, Comp Sci, Physics and Economics for Fixed Income positions...so I think that if i get my MA (and perform well) I may be able to get something with it...however I know work experience matters...I dont want to bet it all on the back office and cant move to the front..
Thoughts?





If your're going back for a
If your're going back for a masters, forget econ and do finance. An MA in Econ isn't very useful or helpful.
I think you're fucked.
I think you're fucked.
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
I don't see many people going
I don't see many people going Back Office--->MBA--->Front Office.. in HFs at least.
What kind of BB sales are you talking about? Pretty broad. If you're talking about institutional sales, that could possibly be an in to an HF if you build a solid book.
I've also seen guys out of undergrad network and get trading assistant roles @ HFs and move up thru there. Rarely do you see back office guys @ HFs move to FO. Usually their route is Ops analyst-->Sr Ops Analyst-->Head of Ops/COO