Where do I stand for the following paths?

I graduated almost two years ago from a target and joined a good asset management firm (>300B, S&T internships with JPM equity derivative structuring and CS equity research.

I am thinking about making a move and the following are options I am considering
1) H/S/W MBA
2) getting a job at a top hedge fund
3) moving on to the industry leaders (BlackRock/Fidelity) on a track that eventually leads to an APM/PM position

How does my background compare to the typical IBD analysts out of a BB after two years or S&T analysts making the move to MBA/buyside? Am I at an advantage/disadvantage or a is it pretty much a push?

 

Your hours are definitely less (correct?), so I'd assume you might want to work for more than 2 years before jumping to b-school. I would say you'd be at a disadvantage to 2nd year analysts at BB IB.

I say you stay in your current industry and go with option 2 or 3. Then after 2 years at BR/F you can apply for H/S/W.

-- "Those who say don't know, and those who know don't say."
 

I attend one of the top MBA schools you mentioned and I definitely see people with your background here. I think you would be competitive if you did well in school (i.e. good grades, extracurricular activities, etc.). I'm not sure about options (2) and (3) but I can definitely answer questions about option (1).

My brother is actually applying for a "quantitative investment analyst" position at Fidelity and he would like to know how the salary, bonus, and typical career track is like. Do you have any insights? Thanks!

 
Best Response

I entered directly out of undergrad, first year salary was 75k, sign-on of 5k, year end of 40k and additional 10% of base (7.5k) discretionary into my retirement plan on top of the matching contribution.

My second year right now is 85K, was told target bonus is 50k.

These are pre-MBA numbers. If he is entering a post MBA position expect 150-200K all in first year at a top shop (>300B AUM). I dont know how comp progresses from there. Location also affect comps a bit.

Bare in mind I am in a cheaper city than NYC, and I work about 60 hour weeks, no weekends. Job security is pretty good considering that fees are really generated by the large AUM, and less tied to performance than say a hedge fund.

If you stay in the industry, you have two career paths: 1) associate analyst -> analyst -> senior analyst 2) associate analyst -> analyst -> associate PM -> PM

No. 2 is obviously slightly harder than no.1, but at fido you have a pretty good shot at 2. There are some shops that you are pretty much doomed to being a career analyst, fido is not one of them.

 
twopaths:
I entered directly out of undergrad, first year salary was 75k, sign-on of 5k, year end of 40k and additional 10% of base (7.5k) discretionary into my retirement plan on top of the matching contribution.

My second year right now is 85K, was told target bonus is 50k.

Thanks for sharing the numbers! Any idea what these look like on the fundamental equity side?

 

Pretty much the same (obviously dependent on performance)

tcam:
twopaths:
I entered directly out of undergrad, first year salary was 75k, sign-on of 5k, year end of 40k and additional 10% of base (7.5k) discretionary into my retirement plan on top of the matching contribution.

My second year right now is 85K, was told target bonus is 50k.

Thanks for sharing the numbers! Any idea what these look like on the fundamental equity side?

 

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