ER to IB If I Know What I Want?
I don't have an interest in M&A transactions/Buyout PE but want to get into early and/or late stage investing. However, the most established path to get there seems to be coming from an IB analyst program.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe there would be a wide variety of type of deals, probably the majority being M&A, which is appealing to most for optionality or experience for Buyout PE.
Does it make sense for someone with a specific focus to restart their career in an analyst program?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, it's not uncommon for individuals to pivot from Equity Research (ER) to Investment Banking (IB) if they have a clear understanding of their career goals. If your interest lies in early and/or late stage investing, it's true that the traditional path often involves a stint in IB, but that's largely because the skills and network developed in IB are highly transferable and valued in various investment roles.
However, if M&A transactions and Buyout Private Equity (PE) don't interest you, and you're more drawn to venture capital or growth equity, for instance, it might not be necessary to restart your career with an IB analyst program. Here are a few points to consider:
Skillset: IB provides a strong foundation in financial modeling, valuation, and transaction execution. If you feel your skills in these areas are solid, you might not need an IB analyst program.
Networking: IB is a great place to build a network that can be leveraged for future opportunities in investing. If you already have a strong network in your area of interest, this may be less of a concern.
Experience: While IB experience is valuable, direct experience in early or late-stage investing could be more relevant to your goals. Look for roles that align more closely with your interests.
Career Trajectory: Consider the time and effort required to restart in an analyst program versus seeking out roles that are more directly aligned with your interests. It might be more efficient to target roles in firms that focus on the stage of investing you're interested in.
Alternative Paths: Explore other avenues that could lead to early or late-stage investing, such as working with a startup, joining a venture capital or growth equity firm directly, or even roles in corporate development.
In summary, while an IB analyst program is a well-trodden path to various roles in finance, it's not the only way, especially for someone with a specific focus. It's important to weigh the benefits of an IB program against the time and effort it would take to pivot, considering your ultimate career objectives.
Sources: Should I Slow Down?, Still want the job? Are you prepared?, BB Analyst Impacted By Layoffs - Looking for Insight, Unemployed and living in parents' basement, losing hope, Q&A: 1st Year Analyst at MM IB
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