Career progresion(advice needed)
Hello all,
For some background. I recently got employed by a large company’s corporate pension/investment management arm and I’m working as an investment analyst. As I was scrolling through the site I have seen posts but several of them were talking about asset allocation and due diligence on other investment vehicles. I am solely focused on equities. I have aspirations to work in LO AM or HF or something similar in the future, but given my position I am wondering what the trajectory should be for someone in my shoes. Would it be pursuing a masters first or CFA? Could I break into my desired roles by being in this current role for 2-3 years or try getting into Ss ER soon? These are some of the questions I have, but any info or insights would be extremely helpful.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and advice for your career progression:
CFA vs. Masters:
Current Role Duration:
Transition to Sell-Side Equity Research (ER):
Additional Steps:
In summary, focusing on the CFA while gaining experience in your current role for the next 2-3 years seems like a solid plan. Simultaneously, keep an eye on opportunities to transition to ER if that aligns with your long-term goals. Networking and continuous skill development will be key components of your career progression.
Sources: A Guide for Switching From Commercial Banking to Investment Banking, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/real-estate/is-georgetown-masters-in-real-estate-for-me?customgpt=1, Move from back office to middle office to front office, Investment Management After Top MBA - Does Pre-MBA Experience Matter?, Ask a VP in Equity Research anything - 2018 Edition
Why do you want to move to these roles?
If you are doing equity research, you are in a long-only asset management job already. Probably could do 2-3 yrs. and move to the jobs listed if you want. I feel like doing equity research for an insurer if they pay well is a good gig. If you are helping managing funds etc. for the wealth arm of an insurance company like working with the research for the mutual funds at Thrivent or Prudential or something then you ARE doing LO asset management right now.
I personally think these places could be better positioned LT than most asset management firms. The insurance company managers have stickier captive assets coming in from retail clients brought in by the insurance salesmen/advisors. This is much stickier than institutional money that is more performance sensitive and competitive to win. Who is more likely to have stickier money and grow assets long-term? Small town Joe who is investing through his local financial advisor that picks the captive funds by default or an institutional asset manager that gets the majority of assets from professional buyers who are incentivized to minimize career risk by only picking the top performing funds.
Yeah I am doing LO, I was just kind of wondering what the path would be to move up to a bigger one like Wellington , fidelity etc.. idk how well Corporate pensions are viewed by some of the larger LO funds , and also hedge funds. I figured pivoting to a hedge fund would be difficult and pursuing either a masters or CFA would be the best option right?
You answered it.
Just want to clarify that the hedge funds don’t care about CFA or MBA. This is the route to move to bigger LO for sure but it’s not going to move the needle for HF recruiting if that’s something you may want to pursue.
Quasi expedita esse itaque. Et dolorem quasi aut velit consectetur. Non exercitationem ex est ut sunt qui odit. Animi velit sint necessitatibus mollitia dolorum aliquid qui. Cum aut aut aut consequuntur eius qui. Harum enim eum soluta quibusdam dolor culpa eos.
Aspernatur deserunt eius itaque quia. Tempore corrupti enim eos est tempora laudantium dolorum. Molestiae modi consequatur voluptatem molestiae provident libero aut. Sint quod ea hic ut dolore minima aut.
Aut eos sint doloribus iusto ratione. Velit magnam rerum aut. Exercitationem ratione iure nesciunt soluta unde fuga ut. Ad magnam natus cupiditate et a neque. Et repellat qui ut repudiandae sequi harum delectus. Cupiditate earum assumenda sit ut eveniet fuga dolorum voluptatem.
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...