From a niche consulting boutique firm to ER - Is the move possible?

Hello everyone,

I currently work as a senior consultant for small consulting boutique specialized in asset management in France (think no-name outside of the french & luxembourg asset management space).

I worked there for a year and half, having been promoted to senior only after one year.

I joined the firm right after graduating from a top target school in France (think HEC, ESSEC, ESCP) with a good GPA, and after a solid internship as a fund analyst in a top 5 asset management firm in Europe.

I was sold that the firm would work on strategic consulting projects during my interviews, and, NGL, their offer was substaintially higher than the market average, both in fixed and bonus comp. I joined in the hopes that after two years I would be able to apply to a buy-side position at an asset management firm or transition to buy-side ER.

However, I've realized that most of their project are transformation and regulatory in a very niche market, with a lot of operational and implementation work, working mostly with support functions in asset management companies (MO, BO, Accouting...)

At this stage, I feel like I have f*$!ed my career by joining a no-name firm with 0 pedigree, and I realize that my hopes of moving into the buy-side are next to impossible.

So are there any monkeys who've been in a similar situation before? How did you manage to get yourself out of it? If not, what would you recommend to a confused chimp?

Thanks in advance!