Oxbridge Postgrad
Its been my dream to work in industry for 2-3 years after I graduate undergrad (probably S&T/markets) then go back to school for 1-2 years to do a masters in finance and economics at Oxbridge while competing in the boat race. For me, it would be the pinnacle of academic and athletic achievement but it seems like that might not be an optimal path for my career. I have no problem sacrificing some money and time, but from what I understand it could hinder my career because I'd have to leave a job that I'd be secure with with no guarentee I could reenter the industry later. Would love people's thoughts. Its not to advance my career as much as it is to have that experience in my late 20s. End goal I'd like to work at a hedge fund - macro or credit honestly no idea but I love the markets and I want my job to be centered around making bets by understanding how the world works.
Perfectly fine plan, people work for a bit then go back for a masters all the time. Focus on getting into S&T first and good luck
Some options:
Get into a graduate program (IB, consulting) and defer your offer for a year - very common. Apply to Ox/Cam senior year
Get into a hedge fund seat early with a 1 year non-compete, apply while interviewing, and see if you can get it all to line up so you get one year paid and off
First one obviously a little easier
I'd like to work for two years then go back to school - is it possible to apply senior year then defer the offer if I can get it?
Oxbridge alum who did a Blues sport here. Totally get why you'd want to do that. Think Oxbridge alums in London buy-side (small L/O / FO / HFs, not branded funds) would get it if you wanted to stay here post-Masters, then go back stateside.
Bit harder to explain to non-oxbridge HRs so would focus on networking. Or as Trader in HF said, there are creative ways to workout the timelines. But nonetheless it can be done, imo. Good luck.
Dude if it’s a real dream, I’d do it.
Most people optimize every decision for career progression and wake up at 35 realizing they passed on the few unique things they actually cared about. Oxford/Cambridge, rowing the Boat Race, and doing a top program in your late 20s is the kind of experience that’s hard to recreate later...
From a career standpoint, no it probably isn’t the most linear path. Leaving a solid seat always has some risk, and a masters alone won’t guarantee a better buyside outcome. But it’s also not career suicide. Oxbridge has a strong brand, strong network, and the story is differentiated IF you frame it well.
Especially for macro or credit, people care that you’re smart, commercially minded, and genuinely obsessed with markets. A nontraditional path is fine if your market knowledge keeps compounding while you’re there.
The bigger risk is doing it as an escape from recruiting or because it sounds prestigious. If you’d regret not taking the shot, that’s different...
My view is if you can get good experience first, save some money, keep market reps going, and go with intention, it sounds like one of those decisions that makes life more interesting with manageable career downside. Careers are long. Boat Race eligibility is not.
Don't really care about the prestige to be honest - people have said the American MBAs would be better but in that case I'd probably rather just work. Its more about having that time in my late 20s and using it to do something special - especially these physical competitions I'll never be able to do it again.
As long as some path is available after the degree for me to have a good job that's what I want to know. If it totally messes up my career then I'd think about it twice but seems like it doesn't. Afterwards I can put all my schooling and athletic ambitions behind me and I can full send work without regret so I want there to be some path for me to chase. Sort of closing the book on it if it makes sense
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