SM HF to LO as a junior?
Weighing MM sector specialist vs. LO country generalist
Currently at a single-manager HF covering China, joined the firm as a new grad so didn't get as solid a training as many 2+2 guys. Mentorship here has been weak and fund performance has been poor, so I'm looking to leave. Two options on the table:
- Global sector specialist (niche sector) at a top multi-manager: strong team, and the culture isn't as cutthroat as the typical MLP-style pod shop.
Country generalist at a top long-only: also a strong team, more stability, but base is lower and would probably be lucky to get a 12 month bonus .
The question I keep going back and forth on: do I take the MM seat and hope the platform/team actually develops me into a sharper investor? Or do I spend 2-3 years at the LO first to build real fundamental investing chops, then lateral into the MM world afterward?
Would love to hear from anyone who's made a similar move, or from MM/LO folks on how much genuine mentorship you actually got either path.
