How to make a move from Equity research to Buy side - hedge funds

I am working at a boutique sell side research firm for 2 years. I have an MBA (not an ivy) and working towards my CFA level 1. What is my exit strategy from the sell side and to move to a hedge fund? Any suggestions and inputs would be helpful. Also, is it of any value to do another MBA from an Ivy? Thanks in advance.

19 Comments
 
 

Hey thanks a lot for the response, +1SB. I have looked at some of these, but will definitely look over the rest. I was just curious, from SIG specifically what the ops are. Or, for a proxy, who do people in similar smaller ER shops along the same level as SIG seem to place? Does it really just depend on the quality of the your ideas?

 

no working at a hedge fund is always a possibility. remember that hedge funds are part of the buyside. some analysts start on the buyside and stay there. There is no set time to transition from sell-side to buyside. It all depends on where the opportunities are (and how much they pay you).

Smokey, this is not 'Nam, this is bowling. There are rules.
 

Dolor quidem nulla error soluta. Pariatur aspernatur aut voluptatem adipisci. Sequi harum placeat mollitia dolor dolorem et odit. Veniam vel exercitationem repudiandae aut. Numquam quod voluptas suscipit sed laudantium qui minus. Et modi est commodi distinctio velit aspernatur aut.

Eos enim natus aliquid est vel. Corporis sed illum vel vel voluptate nisi et qui. Atque laborum et adipisci officiis placeat. Porro occaecati et et ea qui ratione dolorem minus.

Dolorem nisi omnis placeat facere quia fuga perspiciatis. Sint nisi qui repellat veritatis odio et et. Omnis iste tempora odio qui est aliquid est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”