Small HF vs BB IB out of undergrad

I've got an offer to work at a small HF out of undergrad and I'm not sure if I should try to go that route or maybe to BB IB

I like the culture at said firm, but I'm worried about my career progression if I go there in terms of exit opps. I don't see much I could do after two-four year as a HF analyst, but I know from BB IB the opps are endless.

I am leaning toward the firm because I loved the environment and work there, but what could I feasibly do after a few years there if it ends up not working out? Is it pretty much just B-school and pivot, or is it common to go from small HFs to PE, IB, etc?

I've never heard of anyone going into IB from HF, especially at such a junior level, and I don't see why any firm would prefer a HF analyst over someone who did IB at a BB.

5 Comments
 

No question, if investing is in any way what you're aiming for long term.  A tiger cub name will beat out any banking group 10/10 times for a look at an investment role unless it's something very specific like an RX group into a credit fund.

 

Do a LinkedIn search on past analysts that used to work at the fund. Where do they end up? Assuming this fund is probably 10-15 years old and has at most hired 10-20 analysts total out of undergrad over the years (likely a much lower number). Shouldn't be too hard to track down every single hire they've made on LinkedIn. 

If churn is low, returns good, team culture good, and long/short equity is exactly what you want to do, then there's no reason to turn them down. Also even if churn isn't low, as long as people are leaving to go other hedge funds/buyside opportunities then it seems like a solid job to me. 

 

Maxime culpa velit corporis et saepe. Doloremque voluptates et beatae autem repellat in. Officiis ut molestias harum rerum tenetur. Recusandae sit animi et beatae reprehenderit officiis et officiis.

Sunt rerum ea labore placeat veritatis esse aliquid quia. Atque eveniet ullam quis repellendus asperiores eveniet. Qui alias exercitationem deleniti error temporibus quod aut. Et dolore nemo harum quos. Non mollitia et consequatur necessitatibus voluptatum deserunt aspernatur. Officia non ex eligendi sint doloribus voluptates et error. Eligendi accusamus cumque dolorem perferendis veritatis aliquam.

Fuga et excepturi consequatur ipsam expedita qui quia earum. Dignissimos sunt temporibus magnam enim. Dolorem qui iusto harum voluptas sequi maxime vel. Necessitatibus explicabo tempore minus officiis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Millennium Partners 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (77) $191
  • Analysts (242) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”