Equity Research —> Investment Banking

I’m currently making the jump from HF to IB so I can share some input on this. You’ll likely have a much easier time than I had given you’re already at a BB. 1) I would suggest working for at least a year before actually trying to make the jump. Use that time to network with bankers. Now is also not a good time to try and move into banking anyways. 2) Start slowly learning technicals. This shouldn’t be very hard, but gotta know LBOs, M&A modelling which is different than what you’re doing in ER. You will most likely be asked to write some sort of test for IB interviews down the road and you gotta do well or you might not get another chance. 3) Start working on a story as to why you want to move into banking from ER. Given you’re trying to move pretty quickly, some bankers might perceive you to be uncommitted, so gotta be able to flip that.

Also consider that you don’t necessarily need to go to IB before PE. If PE is your end goal, just start networking now and who knows even an opportunity can come up. Imo it seems like a waste if your time to try and move into IB (especially given macro conditions), only to move into PE down the road. You could just start networking directly with PE firms. Your experience will be valuable so you just need a good story.

You’ve got a good start by already being in ER at a BB so I would focus on standing out as an associate first, then think about next steps later. Don’t bother plan 5+ yrs ahead cuz life is volatile af.