Starting careers in a MM platform

Hi all,

Student at a target.  Incoming SA at a BB.  I love the markets and investing, but I am not 100% sold on it as a career (I'm only 20).  Currently getting recruited for analyst positions at MM platforms (Citadel/Millennium/p72 types).

Now I know its a bit early to think about my career as a whole, given I technically don't even have those offers yet, but I am getting the feeling that starting out my career in a hedge fund would have an adverse affect on my ability to do other things with my life in terms of career (in the cases I discover I am terrible at it or lose passion for investing/markets).  However, the illusions of prestige and high early career earnings associated with the hedge fund route make it such an attractive direction.

Anyone have any strong opinions or philosophies on starting a career this way?  Is it safer to stick to the conventional banking route if in case I decide one day I want to become an entertainment business mogul, go into economic development or something completely unrelated?

3 Comments
 

Just from reading this site, if you start with a HF you get pigeonholed in the space. If you start with IB even if you go to a HF after and you get blownout or tired of the space you can go do something else and still have options.

 

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