Stalled path to HF/ER
Hi all,
Looking for some advice on navigating a stalled career path.
Graduated about a year ago from a semi-target in London. Been grinding to break into L/S but haven’t had much luck. Tried pivoting into ER and M&A as potential stepping stones, still no traction. Only relevant experiences I have is in audit FIG/primary research (channel check), which doesn’t carry much weight in this space.
Been doing some digging and came across a few less conventional paths like Economic Consulting or S&T as potential long-term pivots into HFs. Curious if anyone here has taken that route or knows someone who has? Open to any suggestions, especially on under-the-radar ways into the industry that aren’t just the usual IB → HF pipeline.
Appreciate any thoughts, insights, or advices
S&T and economic consulting won’t help you break into L/S.
Audit to ER or IB is probably the path to push for
S&T to credit/macro HF is standard if OP just wants HF and not L/S only
regardless idt the relevant trading desks are any easier to get a spot at than SS ER/ IB
Game over for you I'm afraid should transition to back office
Don't know the EU world as well, but right now its fair to say the front door path is closed, which leaves you the back door path so to speak.
That path can be done as follows:
The problem is there are +++100 candidates with the "perfect" mold for most L/S seats already (some combo of IB, ER, PE, or S&T), and funds will prefer to pick from this group for obvious reasons. Right now you have no credibility or stamp of approval that you have been taught the essential skills. Its kind of like picking stocks, "no one gets fired for buying IBM" (older expression - more relevant to that LO world) vs. taking that gamble on an unseasoned micro-cap stock with no analyst coverage and limited track record.
Long long grind towards building up the skills and knowledge on your own, and then applying and networking your ass off, only for the smaller funds, with no guarantee it works, and which may not even be the best career choice always, so have to be careful and also sure that its the right path for you.
Not trying to discourage you by any means, but it is important to really be honest with yourself with what is possible and available to you, and also what are the best options for your career.
My recommendation is you are still young and work your ass off towards getting into some type of role like ER.
https://x.com/FundamentEdge/status/1543649408952045568?lang=bn
please do not do an MBA, high opportunity cost with no value in Europe, especially not for L/S
ER is indeed the way
If you can’t get into ER/IB from your current role, I think doing a masters can always also be an option. Obviously also depends on which unis you get into and if you can afford it
Probably not ideal if OP just graduated. Doing another master back-to-back could actually hurt more than help. At some point, it raises questions about employability or clarity of direction. Probably better to focus on gaining relevant experience or pivoting through a role with decent exit opps.
Another masters? When did OP say he's done a masters?
Doing a masters after undergrad is very normal in UK.
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