best position for quant w/ soft skills; future hedge fund rockstar training

For the folks with actual industry experience, I would like to hear your thoughts on...

1). For someone with both quant (think MFE) and fundamental analysis skills (think CFA), as well as good soft skills (think MBA), what would be the best fit...

In terms of function - would a strategist position be better than a trading position, any other? In terms of desk/product - credit, or equity derivatives? I really don't know on this one.

2). Which desk/product/function gives the best training for future hedge fund rock stars? I noticed that quite a few leading hedgies were in high yield, distressed, merger arb. Is it just because those areas are hot right now, or because those areas force you to do deeper analysis?

Assume this is the first job at a BB. So this a skillset question, than an interest question. Thanks guys.

6 Comments
 

Fixed Income derivatives structuring also, possibly even exotics or swaptions trading.

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

Because they combine the more quantitative nature of the more complex products with the ability to both reconcile with the real world, manage risk & work with clients/sales people to get it done.

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

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