Top Hedge Fund VS BB IBD

hello!
 

Just obtained the offer in LS Equity from a MM HF (think Millennium, BAM, etc.) and was wondering whether it’s better to go for a IBD role. 
 

I am going to be transparent: I am in the finance industry for the money, for the learning, and for the high human capital in the industry.  
 

I think I can be a solid investor given my competitive nature and analytical background. However, I am not a super genius and not extremely passionate about investing. 
 

I intend to leave the industry in 5/6 years for entrepreneurship and I am worried about the non-transferability of the skillset. 
 

What should I do?

22 Comments
 

If you’re not passionate about investing I would not do MMHF out of school but this would depend on the specific grad scheme you got into, happy to PM for more details.

Would suggest IB for exits

 

If you want to become an entrepreneur, I’d say IB is better simply because you can leave to a startup fairly easily after where you can learn the ropes a bit before founding your own thing. Although saying you want to become an entrepreneur is like saying you want to go vegan, if you wanted to, you would be one.

Either way you will make money, but would stick with HF if that’s your pure purpose.

Side note, but how do so many people make posts about how they are not sure about doing X after getting an offer?

I thought the whole point of the MF/HF programmes was to poach and train those set on investing?

 

What are you doing now? Might be good to understand your background a bit too

 

MM HF for sure. You learn more about investing and companies and save up more money over 6y compared to IB, both of which will help with entrepreneurship.

 

Assumption being you’re still around MMHF land in 6m.

Also given the dispersion of exits from IBD, and dispersion of PM quality at even a good MM, that first comment should be met with extreme skepticism 

 
Most Helpful

IB seems pretty obvious. You can get yourself the skillset needed to probably do well as an entrepreneur. I'd also just add very very seldom do folks in L/S equity who aren't super passionate about investing find themselves successful at the end of any amount of time. IB at the very least provides you enough optionality (if you ever changed your mind and wanted to do HF again, or PE, or what have you). Wouldn't waste your time in public mkts if you aren't hoping to stay there

 

Depends on a group in IB, but I’d go for IB unless you got some very niche group you don’t like. I have a few years of work experience and looking to lateral. Been considering these two options (also my reasons are pretty similar haha) and IB seems to be better, even from the entrepreneurial perspective. But HF might actually offer a better WLB and pay.

 

What attitude lol?

I did not say that I will not grind everyday from Monday to Sunday almost every hour of the day.

I am just deciding between alternatives - and then at the desk I will give my best. 

 

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