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For buy side ER, I am referring to places like Fidelity and Wellington etc.

 

Aside from the sweeping generalization, this is also just not true for the majority of people. Will address the points separately:

  • Lifestyle: better at LO

  • Stability: better at LO

  • Mobility: certainly not better at the LO's that churn associates out into MBA programs, which is what some (maybe many) out-of-college programs tend to do

  • Process: depends on the shop. I personally have not seen the level of rigor you should see at some LO's that you would expect given lack of turnover

  • Comp: pay is much less at LO at junior levels, seniors understandably rake it in. However, on the tail end you see LO founders won't measure up to HF founders due to fee structure

  • From those I know in L/S world, I've seldom heard a desire to be in LO world. Especially not right now

 
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For L/S, Buyside ER. Assuming you're an investor at heart. Few reasons:

  • Scarcity. Lots of M&A/RX spots, very few at LOs. There's no illusion which is more selective (generally the LOs)

  • Skill set. More relevant here and you'll be a public markets investor from day one

  • Lifestyle. LO probably a good way to avoid early burnout

That said, RX is the way to go for special sits and DD funds.

 

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