Credit ratings exit op?

Joined as an infra credit rating junior at a Big-3 CRA for around a year, would like to learn more about the exits.

Saw on LinkedIn there were people who moved to infrastructure coverage (M&A/debt advisory). However spoke with a headhunter with many years of exp, that he was never able to place people from CRAs to M&A.

I do understand from this forum that structured finance exits are pretty common, but how difficult would it be to break into a coverage team with such a background?

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I worked at one. Common exits for analysts included high yield credit research, LevFin credit risk, private credit investing, fixed income portfolio management. You might be noticing a theme...

There were also random one offs like IB coverage, wealth management, consulting. Pure m&a not a great fit since you would be lacking in a ton of skill areas.

I left to credit risk and moved to LevFin IB.

 

Went to corporate development relating to my sector coverage. Possible to still move to lending/financing related to my coverage later I guess. But as a direct lateral, people from my group went mostly to either corporate development or debt portfolio management.. If you cover generic corporate, there is a better chance to be picked up for ratings/debt advisory. And FYI talking about London.

 

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