IB FT vs. testing HF waters

Hi all,

Spent last summer w/ top group at top BB, no offer. Group cut a lot of members so it wasn't totally unexpected, but naturally after landed smaller, tier 3/4 MM FT spot. Currently group agnostic, but basically I've been testing waters with a few hedge funds for FT openings. The larger ones are inherently more structured, but I've gotten some hits w/o even sending a pitch. I've now worked on finalizing a pitch with plans to send a model and pitch materials to 50+ funds over the next month before I graduate.

Problem is, the offer I have I need to lock in relatively soon. I'm not all that excited about doing IB if it means I have to backtrack (non-target background, GRINDED to get into BB IB SA). I know it sounds like I'm being pretentious, but if long-term I'm looking to make a jump to HF I'm not so sure this MM shop will help get me there (even after doing my 2+ years). Should I hold out in hopes I'd be able to land an HF or just sign my life away for the time being and retry down the road?

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I understand where you're coming from in terms of backtracking but you have to realize that if you lose this MM IB offer and do not get the HF route, you are backtracking WAY more. A MM IB job is still one of the best jobs out of undergrad. I would take it and retry down the road especially since you're coming from a non-target. If you were at an ivy or top target I might say go ahead and risk it but the value to you of IB from a non-target is too great to risk

“If you ain’t first, you’re last!” - GOAT
 

Nesciunt ut totam numquam rerum porro. Eaque consectetur eius a adipisci aut ut eum. Tempora quod deleniti neque impedit sit quis. Quam placeat quaerat in voluptates unde eos dolore sapiente.

Voluptatem incidunt officia rerum nisi aperiam aperiam. Exercitationem non et velit delectus quae quas. Alias ullam quia eum quas architecto.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”