6-8YOE at sub-scale SM LO going to MBA to change geos, but am i too old? HF Inv

I have 6-8YOE at sub-scale developed markets equity SM LO ($200-300MM book) in a non-US EU UK country (senior equity analyst & partner). However, I want to try to land a better, similar seat in the US or UK after a CBS / Wharton / Booth MBA (could be LO or L/S). But I'd be 32 when I graduate. Is that too old for post-MBA analyst recruiting, even with 6-8YOE at the buyside prior? Is that a good bet overall? Assume I'm a decent analyst and have a good track record 

11 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Honest question: why do you think you'd be too old? What does being "too old" mean? Too old for what? I know you said for recruiting, but can you expand on that logic? I don't get it.

Firms look at candidates mostly on seniority, not age, and how it fits with what the firm (and/or hiring manager is looking for). Seniority goes against you because they'll view you as a more expensive hire. Doesn't really have to do with age. 

Hiring a post MBA guy to be entry level associate/analyst job that works under a senior analyst/sector head or PM is different than hiring a guy in his late 30s with 10 years experience. One could reasonably assume that the first hire would cost low six figures in expense and would be willing to work with a senior analyst that has 5-8 years of experience whereas the second hire is going to be high six figures / low seven figures and would likely NOT want to work with someone with equal or less experience than him. 

Just an example, but that's how I think about it, not by age...

 

"Late 20s-30" 

You think a 28 year old is functionally different from a 32 year old to them? I'd understand if its a question of say, 28 versus 38. But yeah, you're seriously worrying about nothing. 

 

Have the same question - would you say the job opportunities for the latter profile is much smaller at post MBA level because as you said, it's multiple times more expensive than junior without IM experience...  in the meantime, junior analyst's job can be somewhat replaced by AI, but I still see more job post looking for junior, not sure why and when this is going to change

 

It's honestly case by case. 

I think juniors will be needed in the foreseeable future, though not everyone needs one. I can manage a subbook myself, but if I continue to add names or add another sector I'll look for a junior. This is because I can't manage 80 names alone, though. Would it make sense to hire an experienced hire to cover an adjacent sector? Maybe. I'd be more likely to do that if my capital was increased to the point where I think everyone can make more money despite the more expensive hire. 

 

Not sure about fundamental but age matters a lot in quant. It's better to ignore what firms say and look at who they are actually hiring. Many of the big quant places only hire fresh grads through their intern pipeline for front office roles, which naturally creates an age limit.

 

Ullam quas id optio vel odit. Neque est veritatis at ratione. Alias voluptas est et et sint. Dolor est doloremque rerum et architecto.

Id impedit qui voluptatem alias culpa. Sit sed fugit enim suscipit. Dignissimos illum tempora iure sint tenetur.

Dolores unde inventore impedit illo ratione blanditiis. Dolorum eos quas incidunt ut fuga consequatur odio. Voluptas quaerat quae quo odio nulla.

Quis suscipit doloribus provident est et. Deleniti voluptates earum possimus qui quo expedita. Facilis nobis beatae magnam enim. Dolor nihil saepe unde voluptates facilis. Commodi voluptatem est perferendis. Cum expedita quaerat temporibus. Rerum error explicabo aspernatur quaerat mollitia tempore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Millennium Partners 95.0%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (77) $191
  • Analysts (242) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”