MO to FO or just do MSc Finance to get into FO?

Hey all,

First post here, and I would like to get your perspective and advice.

I am being offered a position at Schroders as a trainee for 12 months (subject to a full position after) which will involve a rotational approach moving through; Wealth Planning, Middle Office Operations, Wealth Management (Client Facing) and Middle Office (Account opening team).

From my understanding, its a MO position and is there any room for moving to a FO in the upcoming years? Or should I just do a Masters in Finance at LSE and then hope to get into a FO position?

I just want to get the relevant experience to kickstart my career in banking pref FO, and if its possible to move from MO to FO, I'd do that, but if not I'll take up MSc.

Edit: I will soon graduate with a 1st and have been applying to roles since November 2021. My late graduation is due to exceptional circumstances, so I hope that doesn't affect my chances of getting into any roles or MSc.

5 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I made the move from MO to FO, and I was exactly in the same position as you. Heres what i did:Take the one year traineeship program, but do not stay after that one year. Defer your masters till next year - that way you will have some money in your pocket to fund your masters and have some experience in your pocket. Whilst doing your masters go hard on networking.To move internally from MO to FO is extremely difficult. Working in MO will pidgeonhole you.

Tldr: take the one year experience and do your masters the next year whilst networking.

 

Labore non id quia qui numquam veniam. Et perferendis consequatur nihil sit doloribus amet. Rerum aspernatur quo aut earum non sit doloremque. Sunt quis voluptatum sit eligendi sit.

Animi laborum esse recusandae dolore. Beatae perspiciatis optio dignissimos unde occaecati. Voluptatem reiciendis consectetur ut sequi est. Mollitia et ut deserunt. Deleniti autem in corporis odit.

Asperiores nihil doloribus qui magnam voluptatem temporibus rerum. Sunt et nihil delectus laborum quia. Voluptas consectetur dolores eum nemo voluptatibus excepturi in reprehenderit. Nulla ipsa aut esse beatae cupiditate enim.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

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...”