Best finance path in 2026?
I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on what the highest ROI finance path is these days. I'm currently at MIT/Stanford, am on track for 4.0 GPA stem major, and am really undecided between pursuing private markets - IB/PE, or go into public markets - HF/quant. Looking at my current resume and skills, it seems like it would definitely be easier to get into a top bank or PE fund than a top HF/quant, but I feel like public markets allow for 1. a better WLB both short and long-term 2. more money to be made before the age of 30, which matters quite a bit to me. With regards to quant, I'm not cracked at maths or CS right now, but definitely have time to do a sizable lock-in before I apply for junior summer internships.
Would love to hear from people on both sides!
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