Second Guessing Decision/Career Path

Does anyone every regret/think twice about there decision to do IB and think maybe they should have went the S&T route?

I am asking this because as a recent graduate I will be starting FT at a BB for Banking at the end of the month and have been doing a lot of thinking about my decision. Although, I am happy I landed a job with a good bank in these difficult times, sometime I think I'm more cut out for the sales side in a S&T position versus the analytical, modeling analyst who just sits on a computer all day. One of the main reasons I did Banking is for the exit opportunities (Preferably HF) and money but now the more people I talk to and the more I read it seems that S&T places better for Hedge Funds and the upside is sometimes greater with less hours.

Do other people out there every have these thoughts? Can anyone comment on this further? I appreciate your feedback .

8 Comments
 

Is it sales or trading that interests you? If you actually want to trade, a Chicago prop shop is where you really want to be. One of the best kept secrets in the financial world is how many guys you never heard off living in the Gold Coast were taking home Blankfein sized checks, while the big IBs were crumbling a few years ago...not much has changed in that regard.

A simple thought on trading, if you got game...somebody will always pay you to play, just gotta show the skills.

 

Not really interested in Trading because I simply don't think I have the quant skills to really hack it at a prop trading shop. I'm more interested in like FX Sales or maybe even Prime Brokerage. Do these have better exit opps to HF vs. IB? Also, say I finished my analyst stint and did well, couldn't I always asked to be placed at one of the desks and move more towards the sales route?

 

I just feel like I posses the qualities and could excel in a Sales role over Trading. I also enjoy working with clients and speaking with people over starring at a computer screen. The reason I went for Banking was for exit opportunities but the more I think about it the less I am interested in PE. I am still happy with my decisions - but I was thinking that based upon what I mentioned above and the higher potential upside in S&T that maybe that would have been a better path?

Also, is it common for people to do banking and lateral to a S&T role at their bank or another firm on the street?

Thks.

 

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