I've just completed my first year at a top BB/EB in London.
It was definitely a tough year in many instances, but this is unsurprising as I knew what I was signing myself up for. Regardless, I have learnt a lot and managed to get top bucket which I am thankful for.
However, I think now is a good time to ask myself and this forum about potential exit opps. I don't hate my job, but I don't love it either, I feel as though my life is at a standstill. Unlike at the beginning, I don't feel as though I'm learning a lot every day now like I used to feel.
So it is very common for those in years older than me to move to a PE next, whether that be a MM or small cap or whatever. I don't really have that desire at all having worked with a lot of the top PEs this past year.
The other option I get heard thrown around a lot is 'corporate development.' I don't really think many people who do throw this term around really know what it means, they just think its trendy and its what they hear.
Take a company like Amazon for Facebook for example, doing 'corp dev' at one of these places 'sounds cool,' sure. But I feel for lots of tech companies they are often only looking to hire engineers, and the 'business' and 'dev' roles advertised are more like operations and back office. What actual 'corp dev' roles are really out there at these top companies that would be suitable for IB analysts?
I have had a fair share of headhunters contact me over the year, but of course it is unsurprising they have all been related to PE roles only.
So apart from PE, 'corp dev' whatever that could possibly really be, what are other jobs you have seen colleagues, friends or peers move into? Have they enjoyed it?
