Asset Management: If you had your time starting again.
Hello all, as the title suggests, if you had your time starting out in Asset Management again, going all the way back to Year 1 at University and seeking Spring Insight weeks. What would you do differently, and what do you wish you did more of to prepare yourself?
Bit of background information on myself:
- I'm a 32 year old going through a career change.
- Hoping to pursue a career in Asset Management (as many of you on here have seemingly discouraged me from pursuing a career in IB.
- Ex Parachute Regiment veteran.
- Starting a Finance degree via Open University full time in October whilst working full time.
- Currently studying for my CFA IMC - hoping to have my exams squared off by end of September.
It's a dying industry with excess capacity/headcount, better to start in tech or any other growing field.
why would u say it’s dying? (i’m new to wso)
I'd venture to guess because to pressure on fee structures and a bit of saturation in the industry along with the fact that healthy and steady alpha is extremely difficult to come across these days.
Few things:
*Step 2 & 4 will require networking
If IB is an absolute must avoid item on the list:
Common theme, strong GPA is important. Similar to my comment on optionality, strong GPA shows employers you can succeed at least in one area of competition. Personally, I'd hiring someone with strong GPA over a person stacked with certifications/designations with low GPA. Others may disagree but that's how I think.
Best of luck!
To end up a larger LO (Welly, Fido, Cap Group, etc.), in your opinion, would it be better to start off at a $50B AUM LO firm doing buyside research or at a BB doing IB out of college? Your comment is fantastic btw, SB'd!!
TLDR: I don't know which one is better. My firm is nowhere near the size or prestige of the firms you listed, so you should wait for someone from that level of firm to chime in.
Not a good comparison. But $50B AUM LO AM should have better shot at those firms you listed. Many on the non-PE buyside criticize IB experience as being transactional and deal oriented and not thinking like investors (may or may not be true, just what I've read/heard in the past). I would venture to guess that the LO AM experience is only valuable with a decent number of years of experience + good track record. But in the case of early stage career, IB background should be more compelling? It's tough to say. IB does recruit a lot more so in terms of competition, as fierce as it may be, the chance of being recruited may be higher than that of LO AM just because the lack of new positions being available to undergrads in AMs. But then, IB guys who last the first two years are just better geared for intense work if needed..
Definitely BB IB from what I’ve seen. I just think it’s the better career move in general too (technical skills, prestige, network, etc).
What did you end up doing, in a similar position now though with a smaller AUM firm (around 20b)
Have you considered doing an MBA instead of going for a degree from the Open University? It could be a better platform to get roles
Qui natus ipsa voluptatem ipsum ut. Omnis blanditiis rem officiis nobis. Voluptatem consectetur repudiandae est recusandae harum et. Quo dolorem quo ab nulla. Ea in incidunt voluptas quia nesciunt.
Impedit consequatur ipsum qui alias quisquam aut. Doloremque voluptatem non aut provident. Voluptas natus perspiciatis harum eligendi. Velit consequuntur non magnam ut voluptate.
Esse quasi facilis numquam quis. Qui voluptatem recusandae architecto qui natus sit omnis et. Porro soluta sequi non vitae. Voluptatem inventore id corporis. Qui reiciendis sit iure laborum laudantium voluptas. Aut aperiam voluptatem enim ut illo ea et. Autem iste id ullam reiciendis quia.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...