Path to ER?
Did ~1.5 years of IB in a coverage group then switched to a strategic finance role at a F500 company in a different vertical. I really disliked deal-based work in banking due to the lifestyle uncertainty so thought I wouldn't like PE any better and went the corporate route. I really like learning about the industry in my role now through materials we put together for management but some of the more operations work is more bland and also not really love just how much slower the lifestyle is now. I was thinking across both of my experiences I really just like industry coverage and potentially ER could be a great middle ground of the work I'd like to do with still much better pay / career progression than corporate but without the always on-call nature of banking. I was never particularly set on an investing type of role but I imagine become extremely knowledgable in a sector could keep some sort of doors open there too. I don't know anybody in the space and not really sure how to approach positioning for these sorts of roles. Would it be best to reach out and network at the larger banks with people in the two industries I've had experience in so far? Would I need some sort of stepping stone (MBA, back to IB, etc.) or would it be possible from my current role to an associate role? Are there guides or courses that are helpful to either learn about the industry or the recruiting process? Appreciate any guidance.
Comments (5)
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It will be possible for you to go to ER from your current position. Allot of ER job postings ask for candidates who may have IB experience and/or general finance experience. Hell, I'm a journalist and I have a research super day later today. No need for a masters or MBA
Thats super interesting - do you think its your strength in writing that made you a strong candidate? Do you have expertise in a certain industry? Curious what a "typical" experienced hire associate level candidate's background is then. Nobody from my banking class went into ER but I see why that background is valuable.
Journalism helps because you develop the skills to dig deep and deliver quality qualitative insights. Especially if you do allot of investigative work, allot of the muscle memory transfers over.
I write about tech and media, and I have mostly interviewed with TMT research teams.
People go into ER from tons of different backgrounds. IB, consulting, FP&A, credit risk, have seen back office people go into ER. Your role at the F500 won't negate your IB experience. People go into ER at the associate level at many different points in their careers. Have seen new associates aged 27-30+ and of course associates out of school or with a few years of experience.
it's really more if you can prove you have the skills to succeed in ER that matter over everything, I.e attaching a good stock write up
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