GS Desk Strategist SA or Low Tier BB S&T

Although I already verbally accepted an offer for a low tier BB sales and trading position, I recently got an email requesting an interview for Goldman Desk Strategist. From my understanding, the position sounds like a heavy quant MFE type role. Do you think I should renege on my offer and pursue this position? Which would lead to better ops to either get a top BB FT position in either IBD or Securities?

 
Best Response

Depends on what desk you'd be working with-some of the desk strategists we work with are basically research analysts like any other equity or debt researcher (for example cash HY/distressed loans and cash CDOs) where others are much more quantitative (CDS tranche strategists, for example, or someone in rates/forex which isn't our focus).

In my experience desk strategists are basically the same as any other research group, just on the same side of the Chinese wall as the sales and trading operation, so the quant-element is depends on the desk/product. I suppose this could be totally different for prop trading, and my experience only extends to the desk analysts I've dealt with so I can't claim to know the whole spectrum.

I have to think that desk strategist at GS is better than generic S&T at a lower-tier bank, though-my 2 cents.

There have been many great comebacks throughout history. Jesus was dead but then came back as an all-powerful God-Zombie.
 

I love S&T, but I still would choose GS strategist position. Not because of the brand name. First as a SA, you won't be trading anyway. Strategists spend all their time about trading ideas, from what I understand. You can learn a lot from ppl in GS... The experience should be valuable for your future trading career. Just my two cents...

 
GekkotheGreat:
I love S&T, but I still would choose GS strategist position. Not because of the brand name. First as a SA, you won't be trading anyway. Strategists spend all their time about trading ideas, from what I understand. You can learn a lot from ppl in GS... The experience should be valuable for your future trading career. Just my two cents...

Except for the fact that if you want to do Sales and Trading then you will need to network to get on an S&T desk at GS or at another shop. Whereas interning on a trading desk gives you the option of getting hired on to that desk.

 

When you stay put.

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 

Quasi qui quis totam nam. Est est sed earum. Molestiae occaecati possimus facilis dicta. Et distinctio accusantium consequatur quae.

Maiores dolores aut nostrum eligendi et. Nesciunt a qui sunt excepturi. Sint sint blanditiis dolorum molestiae ea veritatis enim. Corrupti molestiae qui consequatur id sunt ut. Non sequi sed cum libero voluptas. Illo ea excepturi dolor voluptatum non.

Error natus maiores non voluptas. Aut aut nemo qui ipsa suscipit voluptas. Dicta consequuntur laborum molestiae ea.

Sit temporibus veritatis similique libero rerum. Qui nostrum eos eligendi quo dolorum. Ullam aliquam in alias consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”