Vanguard Investment Management Development Program vs NISA Investment Advisors PM analyst Rotational Program.

I have offers for both of these roles. I'm leaning heavily towards NISA even though its not that well known outside the forums of LDI AM. Within LDI, it's a legend. They do extremely interesting work and even though they're a smaller shop, their investor concentration is pretty good (over 200 different investors). They've had pretty rapid growth, but at the same time so has Vanguard. They both charge the same kinds of fees I imagine and have the same risk-profile. Again, NISA is a legend in the LDI space, but Vanguard is a legend in the index funds / mutual funds space. They're both offering the same comp and amazing benefits. I've heard skills aren't necessarily transferrable in both because they both do very specific, different work to the general field, but I don't necessarily buy that with NISA. I also believe I might be doing more impactful work because I've been told about my day-to-day as an analyst and it will be work that will directly impact the portfolio of there over 200 clients (especially considering they have a small headcount

 
I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

Here’s my two cents:

Background: I’ve work at VG for two years in the business dev space and have colleagues who are in the program there. From my personal vantage point the rotational program there is quite good. There are some risks involved given that you can’t choose your final placement. You may rotate through research on a sector ex. Credit and then next you could institutional advisory for OCIO, and then land again on a trading floor for index/active equity or fixed income. So if PM is what you want you’ll have to work hard for it to make sure you stay in it after a rotation through. Not impossible, just framing the environment.

For me my experience has been ok. It’s tough to maneuver and there’s a lot of competition for minimal open spots in front office.

Next is location. Malvern sucks and living in the burbs is something I don’t recommend. Just live in PHL if you’re going to take the job and commute. Everyone young does this. Downtown is fun and affordable so that’s a plus. I would say PHL has STL best hands down.

As far as NISA I’m sure they are great in the space and you could learn quite a bit there as well. If you’re going to be a company store type of person and stay for 5+ years both are great. If your looking to hop sooner after the program maybe VG is the better option because of the name, maybe not.

Hope this helps a little. I’m probably going to shop around as I want to get on a desk or cover credit but overall it’s a great opportunity. If I knew your aspirations more I could talk further via PM.

Best of luck!

 

Illum ea alias id delectus vel. Praesentium nostrum assumenda odit quasi. Exercitationem quasi aut tenetur quia corrupti quos. In in voluptatem voluptate ducimus doloremque. Enim nostrum provident animi nihil.

Aut incidunt aut adipisci praesentium repellat minus. Iusto culpa suscipit vel quibusdam aut. Eos quibusdam ullam vero quisquam neque et.

Dolorum laudantium dignissimos nobis rerum ullam. Ut iusto quo et dolor quia sunt nihil. Autem vitae ut suscipit et repudiandae excepturi quibusdam qui. Asperiores itaque vel voluptatem dolore excepturi qui consectetur ea.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 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 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 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

May 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

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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

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...”