Opportunities after MM HF Career

Hi all, been on this forum for quite some time and actually learned/benefitted a lot, but I would love to know more about what comes next after a career in L/S HF. Very grateful to have received an offer for the next summer at one of the bigger names (P72/Citadel/MLP etc.), and trying to better map out my future plans.

I know it's a bit too early to think that far, given that conversion rates outside of the US aren't too good either, but would love to know more with regard to an Asian context. HFs tend to be seen as the "exit opportunity", so I'm not talking about getting inside to jump elsewhere (especially as the norm is that it's indeed limited relative to IB/PE as a career starter). It's more of pods blowing up being quite a frequent thing, and if trading quarters is something that I get sick of, what options will I have?

  • Aside from jumping to an L/S fund with a longer time horizon or public equity roles as a whole, is it possible to make the transition to perhaps a corporate development role?

I also understand that in the earlier years, it's easier to make the transition, but if one stays for quite a few years, you are essentially "pigeonholed" in that career. I do have 1/2 relevant internships at some decent names (no conversions) and will try to leverage the connections if I plan to do so down the road but not sure if it will help.

  • If that's the case, would a top US MBA (HSW, M7 etc.) prove to be helpful for leaving the industry completely/find more opps in the US?
  • Would being an analyst in a certain sector also be a draw in leaving to a corporate role within said industry?

Will definitely appreciate WSO's insights, and preferably more with an Asian context, as I sadly am not able to find much here too. I think I may be able to have a decent HF career, but more of planning what happens if doesn't work out.

TLDR: If L/S MMHF for few years, can jump out (IB/PE/corporate)? If too long, possible to jump out with MBA? (Asian insights would be good!)

 
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Hi, I'm an Asian undergrad with MMHF within Asia. But very open to exploring opportunities in the West through an MBA etc. in the future too. That's why I mentioned an Asian context as I think most posts on MMHF tend to be very US-centric. Hope you may have some insights on this, thank you!

 

IIRC you can become one of those internal instructors are places like P72.  Chill job especially for burned out senior traders who love teaching. 

 

Interesting, thanks for sharing too! Not sure if it's the same for other shops but seems to be quite exclusive to P72 largely because of their dedicated Academy program I guess?

Not sure if you can add more color on how the comp/life will be like? So it's just purely in a guiding/instructional role that's more of a 9-5? (And of course comp etc. will definitely take a blow. But I guess it's kind of just becoming a coach/teacher and it's a bit more chill?

 

Helping to bump as curious how’s it like in the US too.

If someone gets shown the door in about a year since graduating etc., would the BBs or EBs or PE shops even be willing to take a look at your resume/give you a shot?

Especially as there’s no SA opportunity for them to prove themselves or get the chance to have deal experience too.

And doubt 1 YOE or early career people can successfully make the jump to Investor Relations. Perhaps the constant hopping around pods or maybe some LO?

 

Most common landing spot is a different role in the firm if youre not so bad as to be completely booted or a different MMHF. Have seen a couple go to SMs, not great ones but past the $B mark in AUM.

IB/PE will be hard I think as it’s an odd position to be recruiting in. LO too, seems like the pod analysts they take have at least a few YOE.

 

OP here, thanks for the insight! But definitely an interesting path to go towards more of an HR/headhunting role after a short stint in the investing seat for sure. Quite sure they will still be comped pretty well I guess.

 

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