Hi there,
my Qs are:
until what age do people tend to stay in ER? What are the aspects of those who are 45-50? what are the most common exit paths?
Thx for the info!
Trending Content - Equity Research Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
July 31, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
1) There are people of all ages in ER. Some people move over to the research side after an extensive career in an industry that they then cover. Some have been in research since graduating from undergrad - it just depends on the person. People tend to stay in this business as long as they are adding value. If they no longer add value, they no longer get paid (as much), and they seek an exit or are booted. Some get tired of the politics and the hours and switch careers (see #3).
2) Those who are in the 45-50 age group are mostly veterans of either the industry they cover or come from the financial markets side (investment bankers or equity research veterans). Not sure what kind of "aspects" you are referring to, but people who get into ER are driven and very meticulous, analytical types.
3) The most common exit paths from sell-side ER is to the buy-side in portfolio management. Many also enter the industry they used to cover as executives.
One of the reasons you list for ppl leaving is the hours. Is there a better work-life balance in buy-side portfolio mgmt? What are the hours there?
Thank you very much for the info!
Sunt deleniti repudiandae placeat ab eligendi. Neque officia id maxime dolor facere voluptas. Dignissimos eaque labore velit deserunt voluptas. Corrupti itaque tempore qui vitae. Suscipit veniam blanditiis ab rerum enim aperiam eos.
Rerum sed recusandae ratione natus officia ut velit iste. Ullam sed eum eligendi qui esse temporibus libero velit. Quia possimus eligendi iure optio quo. Optio soluta molestiae qui laborum vero magnam beatae. Sint nihil in aperiam dolores ex. Pariatur quod non doloremque laborum non commodi eligendi.
Ut sed qui facere et non. Et non deleniti officia inventore eum ut inventore. Est dolore ea assumenda asperiores aut aut ut. Magnam et reiciendis atque corporis illum ullam quia quia. Error architecto et accusamus et.
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...