MBA associate - Hate banking, what now?

As the title says, I’m a first year mba associate and am quickly realizing that I have very little interest in the transaction process. I find myself very bored and uninterested in the work. 
 

I really see myself in more of a markets role, as that is where my passion really is. What roles should I look at for a next step either now or after completing a year of IB?

 

Start chatting with ECM/DCM people, see what they think. Definitely don’t tell them you dislike your job though because as I’m sure you know there will be similarities. 

 

Second at least chatting with ECM/DCM, although really the work is fairly similar. Very repetitive, lots of making the same slides over and over for 500 different companies. If you like IPOs or find debt structuring interesting, it might work. If you hate PPT and simple Excel, stay away.

Really though, why not try and lateral to S&T? If you're at a BB, they will probably let you lateral at 1 year, even to something unrelated like that. I'm not too familiar with the AM market, but from what I've heard it's competitive especially at your stage.

Regardless I wouldn't jump to a new role until 1 year - leaving at 6 months might work for a 23 year old analyst, but post MBA you are expected to have a little more clarity, can't just bounce right away because you don't like it.

 

Agree, I'd go sales over trading, and diligence which products you think are more immune to industry changes. Maybe network with some people on the various desks and get their read on it. I'd also toss equity research in, lots of very interesting buyside roles out there and solid exits if you enjoy that type of work.

 

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