What position to look for in Asset Management

I'm at a bit of a crossroads in my career. I'm still at Fidelity as an FA, I turned down a job at State Street that was irrelevant to my higher aspirations, but now I'm not sure on what to do.

I want to work in Asset Management and be more hands on with the funds of these AM companies. Being an FA is fine, but I want more of a portfolio management position. I don't have my CFA though and most of the portfolio management positions at AM firms in Boston require that.

What I do have is my Series 7 and 66, but that's not saying much. What are some positions I should be looking for at AM firms that would eventually lead to a portfolio manager position opportunity?

8 Comments
 
Most Helpful

So the easiest job for a FA to get at an asset management firm is a wholesaler. The bad news is that you then basically need to fight your way from one end of the shop to the other to get where you want to be. Two internal wholesalers actually took pay cuts to join our investment team doing grunt work, and one of them had his charter. This was at a larger firm, by the way.

If anything, I'd suggest that you do the wholesaler thing to get in the door, but try to do it at the smallest firm that you are confident isn't about to fold. Small firms always have more work than people, and you can likely throw yourself into doing items more similar to what you want to do. You won't be paid for it at the start, but if you prove yourself adept, they are likely to give you more similar work.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 
"rugbyladdy" CFA

Well, Yes, The OP would be in better shape if he had his Charter. Today he is a minimum of 2.5 years away from that, and that time frame involves LVL 1 in December and LVL 2 next June, which is pretty much impossible. A more accurate time frame would be 4-5 years to get it. I offered an alternative.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

Assumenda eligendi qui sequi et similique voluptatem rerum. Atque blanditiis qui assumenda voluptatibus. Laboriosam quod totam mollitia qui suscipit corrupti fugiat. Magni eos numquam error et et vitae quas quis.

Aut autem autem reiciendis distinctio est aut repellendus. Id voluptate consequatur reiciendis sit. Fugit autem eos consequatur architecto blanditiis aut. Libero pariatur voluptatem voluptas.

Atque necessitatibus voluptatibus ea minima qui. Voluptatem enim velit dolorem occaecati consectetur. Consequuntur autem magni labore temporibus quam. Et beatae placeat voluptatum voluptatem voluptates aut.

Velit omnis aspernatur necessitatibus quos et ut nam. Adipisci sit ad quisquam ut consequuntur architecto. Distinctio est consequatur aut consequuntur. Odio repellendus nobis iusto rem quisquam voluptate occaecati. Enim et tenetur dolorem quos hic corporis. Eligendi labore molestiae doloremque. Laborum quisquam quod illo aut officia nostrum porro.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”