I am so cooked
Hey everyone, I am someone who doesn’t really take myself to seriously and definitely do not think of my job as life or death because at the end of the day we’re not saving lives although people at hedge funds like to think of it that way.
I went to a normal school not ivy or anything, interned in banking, alright gpa, started at C/P72 out of school and I totally hate this damn job. I am a pretty positive guy but the job is straight iso ball and I think people over complicate everything or maybe it’s ego. I believe I’d do better in a team setting and honestly probably should’ve just did my IBD analyst program but here we are.
I have been trying to move forward from this role but HH’s will literally only send other HF opportunities, absolutely nothing else. What does one do when only two years out and feel like they can only get one other job???!
Also, I am not ungrateful, I learn a lot, am thankful for opportunity but there is no way I do this for the next 20 years.
Does anybody else feel this way?
Don’t rely on HH, try messaging people directly explaining your background and situation for roles you’re interested in
Hope it works out, I know a couple of people who did one of the grad programs and then went to join a startup or something.
are u in equity l/s ? could try for ss er or am?
Look don’t sweat it, the work isn’t for everyone and can be taxing. I’ve seen people transfer to more relaxed firms, startups, banking, and senior roles in CF if you want to just totally relax.
Tell your story, anyone who sees the company and what you did will be impressed. If you’re good enough for P72 then you’re good enough for pretty much anything else and are capable of learning.
It sounds like you’re feeling stuck and frustrated, which is completely understandable given the isolation of your current role and the lack of direction you’re getting from headhunters. First off, you’re not alone in feeling this way. A lot of people, especially early on in their careers, find that the reality of their job doesn’t match their expectations. Hedge funds can be high-pressure, individualistic environments, and it’s totally normal to realize that you might prefer a more collaborative setting.
The fact that you’re not getting much traction beyond similar opportunities right now isn’t unusual. A lot of headhunters will stick to what they know, and since you’re coming from a hedge fund, they’re likely looking for your next step to be within that same space. The good news is, you’ve already recognized that this isn’t the long-term fit for you, which is a huge first step.
One thing you can do is start leveraging your network more aggressively. A lot of the best opportunities don’t always come through headhunters or job boards—they come from people you know or people they know. Since you’re already in the finance world, consider reaching out to folks who have made similar transitions or who are in roles you find more appealing. If you want a team-based environment, perhaps look into corporate strategy, private equity, or even looking at a different role within investment banking that’s more collaborative.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to break the mold a little and expand your horizons beyond traditional finance roles. You could explore options in corporate finance, operations, or even start networking with founders or executives in industries you’re interested in—whether it’s tech, consumer, or something else that excites you.
Your experience at C/P72 isn’t wasted; you have a solid background that can be applied to many other areas, but it might take a little more patience and persistence to get those doors open. Keep a positive mindset, stay active with networking, and use your current role as a stepping stone to refine what you truly want.
Hey OP here, thank you for this and thank you for everyone who has replied thus far. It is pretty hard when you work through school, do the internships thinking you set yourself up to do what you wanted to do just to realized that one thing isn’t it either. I am working on one staying positive and continuing to appreciate the experience.
I come home everyday and think about what is next, I trust I am getting closer to the next step and hope that I can come back to this thread and tell everyone that I found the next move
Don't worry - you aren't alone. Most HF jobs are pretty ass due to the people you work with, so fully agree with your comments on culture etc - people really do think they are saving lives and that everything they do is of the utmost importance, which is obviously complete bs.
I am going to assume you are an equity guy given that you started at P72/C out of school (few funds that actually have some kind of grad programmes). Would echo what someone else mentioned about going to AM or the SS if you actually dont mind the work itself. Would lean towards recommending AM, I previously worked in AM and found people there to be a lot more relaxed and nicer to work with. I have also been on the SS and didn't enjoy it much personally, so you YMMV depending on the team.
You could also branch out and potentially do investor relations - think this also pays quite well in the US. Or you could at entering a credit ratings agency as a junior (I think that you should be junior enough such that your lack of credit experience doesn't matter). Honestly, your options are fairly wide atm and I wouldn't worry too much about being boxed in as a HF guy.
As for dealing with HH - I would reach out to HH that recruit for the sort of roles your interested in and try to sell your story (i.e. why your skills are a good fit and why you want to transition). Would do this while applying directly and networking.
Along these lines (assuming you're in NY given P72 / C), CPI, Henkel, Ratio are all good ones that would help you to move into another buyside like role (PE, Structured)
Feel free to PM me if you want perspective of working in AM as others have suggested here.
This gave me a good laugh
Can you explain WHY you don't like the job? Curious.
I totally get it. Can you say what you do and don’t like? Might be your PMs process or something that could be different with another team. If it’s being around pod bois then there’s a lot of value in knowing how they think and using that to make money elsewhere
Eius dolorem aspernatur quis. Voluptatem nobis quam sint fugit autem suscipit.
Praesentium nulla assumenda tempore. Consectetur ut commodi rerum fuga ipsa similique quod. Vero voluptatibus vero alias saepe laboriosam et magni.
Eveniet ut quo velit beatae qui tempora. Facilis quis officia incidunt quis. Aperiam impedit quia maxime est ut. Itaque vitae et libero voluptates.
Voluptas iusto nam aut consequatur voluptates culpa. Ipsa ea qui animi eum molestiae.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...