SM vs Pod out of undergrad

Got RO at a pod grad scheme, but also have an FT offer from a 3-7bn AUM SM with 500aum/IP. SM does “long term” work and flexes net but is usually around 40-70% net. How easy is it to go from this seat to a pod (assume this is not some big brand name like Coatue or something) in case I want to work in the risk model? Curious what my thinking should be here and tips for dilligencing the SM. I don’t know my PM, so dilligencing that will come later.

7 Comments
 

SM if they have strong history of training. MM otherwise. A lot of SMs don't have the same infrastructure to train juniors, and those are not the shops you want to join out of UG. 

 

Velit ipsum corrupti voluptatem deleniti quibusdam quis aut. Sit sunt modi consequatur error sed molestiae officia sapiente. Reiciendis et voluptatem aspernatur dolor dicta. Qui maiores fugiat autem vel et facilis temporibus.

Et provident ut velit ut velit est non. Aut et temporibus vel dolores voluptate quia. Maiores quo maiores et hic laborum. Ut molestiae voluptas repellendus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • AQR Capital Management 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.0%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Two Sigma Investments 94.9%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $355
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (83) $287
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $193
  • Analysts (235) $177
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (276) $95
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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”