Hi All,
There has been some discussion to suggest that OPs is a good platform to step into the front office. I was wondering if anyone can verify that! I am assuming it is eaiser to go into S&T than IBD from OPs. If anyone (ex-ops)can share some experience on how they got where they are, much appreciated.
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wtf? whoever told u that lied. you would need aditional credentials (e.g CFA completion or partial) and a solid solid solid understanding of the mkts to move from ops to fo in S&T. as for ibanking, its even harder because ops is monkey work. the skillset is entirely different.
all in all, it is possible to move from ops to anywhere as long as u have the right credentials and understanding of whatever direction you are taking. my friend moved from deriv ops to PE at a boutique. obviously, he was not your avg ops person.
I know a decent amount of people who are front office S&T and they came from Ops. As far as Ops-to-S&T vs Ops-to-IBD, just about everyone agrees that ops to S&T is an easier(relatively) move. I'm in ops for another couple of days at a BB, and transitioning into S&T is far more accessible IMO. If you're doing ops for S&T, you're well positioned to make the move if you're an all-star and take initiative to help the FO whenever you can. And you have the advantage of knowing all the BO stuff. Basically just try to maximize your exposure. I've been trying to get into IBD for some time now, and I know for a fact if I stuck it out in ops for another year or 2 at most I could get onto the trading desk. Many of the out of cycle junior level positions that open up on the desk, the ops veterans have a leg up when it comes to filling the spot. If you are proactive about helping whenever possible, getting exposure, and learning... people on the desk already know you and recognize the quality of your work. It also helps that you know all/many of the products, client/broker relationships, and markets if (intl).
That being said, that's the way to go if you have absolutely no other options... I wouldn't choose ops at Goldman over IBD at a boutique or S&T at a smaller shop. BO to FO move is tough as it is, in this market, there are plenty of unemployed FO ppl that have already had the job you want and are applying alongside you.
It also helps to be focused on one. I would be happy in S&T over ops, but I really really wanted to be in IBD, so thats what I focused on even though S&T was far more accessible.
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