BB S&T SA vs Big 3 Credit Ratings SA

I am currently holding a SA offer for S&T (already assigned to a Fixed Income Trading desk) at a second-tier BB (Think DB/Barclays/CS/UBS).

This week I received another SA offer for a Credit Ratings role at a major Credit Rating Agency (think S&P Global/Moody’s).

Trying to decide which one to do this summer, I understand there is no right/wrong answer. Which one is “best” largely depends upon my future career goals. However, I am excited to develop a career within BOTH areas (Fixed Income Trading and Credit Research.) My long-term goal is to be a buyside PM.

Part of me wants to go with the BB Trading due to the potential to earn more $$$ over the next 3-5 years. However, another part of me is leaning towards the Credit Ratings role for two reasons:

1) Potentially more stable long term career 2) Arguably more “solid foundation”/ will learn more hardcore Security Analysis / better exit ops for Asset Management.

Would I be crazy to drop BB S&T SA for Credit Ratings SA?

4 Comments
 
Best Response

Keep in mind that rating agencies don't get the same level of respect a BB bank gets. Your exit ops will be credit analyst at mid to lower tier asset manager after at least 2-3 years. I'd choose the BB S&T stint since you can always try to join on the PM track of a top asset manager after a year or so. Since it is FO it is also easier to lateral to credit/equity research. Of course you should aim for the FT offer in any case.

 

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