Choosing between Equity Research and Leveraged Finance

Hello,

I've been an avid reader of WSO for a while and would need some advice for career choices. I have previous internship experience in equity research.

Current options: 1) FT position at a highly respected equity research firm. 2) Long-term internship (think north of 6 months) in leveraged finance at a Tier 2/3 bank. After the internship there is a possibility to extend the internship and only after the extension there might be a FT opportunity.

I also tried breaking into an IB internship, but was not successful. I am not sure which option would be the best for me. I am interested in the equity research role and since it is a FT role I would be well off in the short-term with exit opp to buy-side down the way. The problem is that I am concerned about the long-term prospects of equity research and asset management business. By taking the internship in leveraged finance I would have further career options in leveraged finance and possibly in IB and PE (perhaps someone can comment how realistic these exit opps actually are).

Which opportunity is better in your opinion for long-term career prospects?

Thank you

3 Comments
 

Yes, it is one of the French ones. I have not heard many good words about French banks in this forum. Do you have direct experience? Could you elaborate why working there would not be that great? What about doing the internship and using that to lateral to a FT role in some other LevFin team or possibly in IB? Since the window for FT analyst recruiting is just opening it could open some doors for me. Appreciate the feedback.

 

Et ullam laudantium dolorem labore suscipit sint commodi iure. Non ab sed praesentium aliquid qui. Sapiente repellat commodi sed ipsam sit eum eligendi. Recusandae perspiciatis provident eum et itaque. At magnam consequatur et.

Nulla qui omnis dolores autem voluptatem laborum tenetur. Soluta in sunt ipsa eum dicta. Minus ipsa eveniet eum dolorem. Blanditiis eos eveniet quos. Quia culpa aperiam necessitatibus. Repellat sint ut tempora molestias iste.

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