Do you NEED IB for HF? (Looking for a more thoughtful role)

Wrapped up SA @ an EB/BB IB and signed for FT. Frankly, found the job to lack the thoughtfulness and intellectual stimulation I desired (yes, I may have been naive). I was especially surprised at how often we based our analysis off of what was written word for word in equity research reports, especially for our public clients.

If I ultimately want to be at a HF, is equity research or another role where we are originating the analysis equally as effective in achieving this goal, with the added benefit of not working IB hours? I am willing to take a significant pay cut if it means being challenged intellectually by my job and still getting where I want to go long term, salary was never the sole motivation for me.

2 Comments
 

You don't need IB; you can always join one of the large HF grad schemes after your SA, if they're still recruiting. Although this time last year, they had almost wrapped up.

Sellside equity research works if you can't break into one of these, but IB is fine too and probably a better job overall given the optionality.

 

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