Morgan Stanley GCM SA to IBD FT?

I got an offer for MS GCM today. I'm most likely going to be placed on the DCM Derivatives desk. How easy do you think it'll be to switch over to IBD full time? Do you think I'll get ibd interviews at other top shops for FT recruitment? I don't want to be stuck in a capital markets role for my entire career, and I know there're limited exit opps. MS has a nice program where they let GCM guys switch over to IBD after their 2nd year, but to be honest, I'm not trying to stay in banking for 3-4 years. Hoping to make the jump to HF as quick as I can, like 1-2 years.

6 Comments
 

Even with DCM derivatives you could get into some credit oriented, structured credit, etc. hedge fund.

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 
Most Helpful

Internal mobility. After 2 years you can interview to switch into IBD instead of becoming a GCM associate. 
 

Not as hard as interviewing out of MBA because you’re already at the firm and they know you’re a strong worker, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll get an offer.

You could also try to get internal mobility out of your SA stint and do GCM SA —> IBD FT but you almost definitely don’t land a GCM FT offer since they know you’re trying to leave, and again you have to interview to land the IBD offer so there’s no guarantee.

 

Omnis eum eum fugiat dolor. Molestias neque numquam dolorem quia voluptate. Eum totam in id harum totam. Architecto necessitatibus non aliquam enim exercitationem officia non et. Quas iusto illum vel possimus placeat ut. Minus iste explicabo sed dolores itaque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”