Has Anyone Here Left A Relatively Cushy UMM / MF PE Seat To Pursue MM HF Work Instead?

Considering making a move to one of the big 4 MMs. Currently have a relatively decent gig at a UMM PE shop, no up or out in 3 years, starting in the L300s and moving up sequentially over time. WLB/perks are decent (food/snacks at the office and probably putting 60 hours a week but sometimes 50 too). My boss is okay/dull and sometimes feel like I teach him certain things and am not learning enough (not a go-getter but knowledgeable but so much of this role is process optimizing and relationship mgmt.) so I do sometimes feel unfulfilled/bored. I manage a personal book (mostly commodities and macro) and right now am learning to make long/short trades in the sector I'm most interested in, in case I do decide to and have ample time to do this right now. I know MM HF will be intellectually stimulating (not relationship monetization), and am confident that comp will scale with performance and time put in (and I will get some freedom too). I think that generally, I've gotten to my current spot because I showed passion/ability to learn not because I followed the set-out path (math @ random non-target, LMM bank in a structured finance role but got an MMHF offer with a well-tenured PM, EB lateral offer and UMM PE offer and ultimately chose UMM PE because it presented the best risk-adjusted return especially given that no 3 years and out structure for my role). But at the same time, low job security, relentless culture,and early mornings seem worrisome - did I forget to add I am definitely someone who would be constantly stressed out and obsess over my positions every day (not sure if normal)? some of you out there might relate. I'm curious if you regretted it or not if you made the switch or ultimately why you chose not to make the switch? What would you tell yourself a few years ago?

8 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I had a cushy UMM PE job that I left for a SM HF. The main draw was work life balance / more stimulating work while having a similar compensation trajectory. The biggest worry was stability of seat so I was very selective with the recruiting process. It’s been 6+ months since I transitioned and I can say with certainty that it was one of the best decisions I made in my life. Overall it’s just the mentality of going from a service / “always on call” / deal making type of role to one that prioritizes research and takes a longer term view. I think that trade off isn’t there when you go to a MM but I’m sure it does to an extent. As long as the team / firm you’re going to is successful and they realize quality of work is not correlated with time spent at work, I think you always end up coming out on top. I’m in my late 20s and I couldn’t continue to see myself working in PE and trying to balance having a family. It’s either I would have delayed the family until I became closer to the Partner level or I made the switch without sacrificing long term comp. 

 

Excepturi sint aut mollitia beatae reprehenderit accusamus. Voluptates odio ut molestias odit nihil cupiditate. Provident incidunt quia quisquam qui inventore non quasi. Vero voluptatem impedit dolorum illo.

Voluptatem voluptatem dolorem aut nemo totam inventore debitis illo. Rerum iure unde doloribus saepe dolorum qui. Odit vitae itaque fuga facilis rerum veritatis. Pariatur et ea dolorem rerum sed. Numquam soluta magnam iure aliquam sit voluptatem. Consequuntur facere mollitia dolor sed. Ullam neque nisi labore dolores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 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

June 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

June 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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”