Is a FO IB Analyst Role at Morgan Stanley Still a Strong Launchpad?
I recently accepted a FO Investment Banking analyst role at Morgan Stanley. Not going to get into group specifics, but it’s a solid coverage team with consistent deal flow. I’ve noticed over the years that MS seems to get mixed feedback on this forum some praise the brand and exits, while others throw shade at the culture, comp, and politics. Trying to cut through the noise.
A few questions I’d love perspective on- Is the MS analyst stint really a “career limiter” like some folks here make it sound?
Anyone successfully lateraled to JPM/GS/EVR/LAZ/other BB/EBs after 1–2 years at MS?
Are the exit opps actually worse or is this just online cope from people who didn’t get the offer?
What’s driving all the MS hate lately? Culture? Pay? Weak comp vs. other BBs?
Appreciate any thoughtful input.
Please seek help. This level of prestige obsession is not healthy. MS is a top BB/EB. If you cannot exit from MS, the fault is 100% on you, and lateriling will not help you. 99.99% of all opportunities afforded to any IB analyst will be afforded to you coming out of an MS coverage group (the only exception is maybe hyper-niche RX stuff).
You should lateral to a uniquely intellectually stimulating environment for better exits....may I suggest UBS Tech?
Ah yes ubs tech..have wet dreams at night about it
You people just pervert everything and are unable to speak normally.
Don’t create unrealistic expectations for the kid. That’s just mean.
no let’s be honest they should aim for as high as possible since they’re young and just starting out career. Left Lane Associates is what you’re looking for
I am at a competitor
Other than comp (and an extra 50k pre tax over a few years will have no impact over time), it’s hard to think of a better overall analyst experience than MS. It’s generally a decent respectful place to work (unlike GS), the quality of MDs is high and consistent (unlike JPM) and the deal flow is second to none and consistent (unlike the so called “EBs).
Thanks for the reply..off-topic.. how long did it take you to get on the MD track at MS and were you always sure about IB ,did you let go other better opportunities but stayed because they might have hindered the md track?
Thanks in advance
I’ve never worked at MS but I’m an A2A MD and I did it in 12.5 years so was 35 when I made MD.
I never saw myself as being on an MD track but I enjoyed my work and was making good money / doing interesting things so didn’t leave and at some point it was achievable so I went for it. I turned down what would have been pretty lucrative MF and HF opportunities on the way (not out of any great strategic reason, just that I enjoyed what I was doing) which in retrospect may have been pretty dumb, but I have very little to complain about either.
Can't believe we're at the stage where people are describing MS as a "career limiter", jesus christ
I believe it matters on the division you work in aswell, people who might be calling ms a career limiter might be referring to diff in-house divs not just ib per say
Dude you simply have no idea what you're talking about
You clearly are not in IBD...So not sure why are you asking the question masquerading as if you are. If you are in AM or another FO division just say so...Each division will have its own intricacies as to how they compare to their competitors. E.g. For AM you might be better off at a larger bank. But in terms of IBD / M&A, MS is on its own tier alongside GS and will by no means limit anyone's career
I have like a strong feeling this guy is talking about offshore support. His history says he's at a non target in INDIA. You cannot bridge that gap in India, does not work.
not only that but he is still in HS... just a weird larp
Based on his post “FO-ib analyst MS” and another comment where her explicitly says investment banking analyst again im gonna bet against the offshore support and just sum it up to one big larp
LOL at this thread. This is like asking if GS is still a good place to start your career as an investment bank because GS Research is not as good as UBS research.
As far as I can tell, you are looking for opportunities in India, and MS is the go to banker for the Ambanis. Even if you are not in IBD, the MS name and franchise will open any doors you want to (to the extent you are not trying to exit to PE, which would require IBD experience. And we all know how MS M&A tends to do when recruiting rolls around)
.
This thread is so funny bc he’s clearly not in IBD no one in IBD would say FO IB analyst role
Such a weird LARP, bro is clearly not serious. GS/MS are in a league of their own for exit optionally, even notably better than JPM/LAZ.
Bait used to be believable
What a weird post , it’s not a very convincing look to one week post about trying to break in from india then next week you are at MS, I’d highly advise that you would just stop with the weird larp now before it gets out of hand because some people take shit people say on here really seriously
What if I don't?
SAAR WHY CANT I LARP ON WSO SAAR NO SAAR DO NOT REDEEM SAAR GIVE ME OFFER SAAR PLZZ SAAR
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