How To: Building Network to Transition from SS to BS

Hello!

After 1 year working at a hedge fund of funds and feeling like absolute dog-water in the type of work I was doing, I was able to land a seat at a MM bank in NYC as an equity research associate covering healthcare. This is just the first step into my master plan to go back to Chicago to work as an equity analyst. The homesickness is already hitting and my shoe-box apartment is, well a shoe-box of an apartment. But I've always known that I needed to make the transition to NYC as there were more opportunities to cover healthcare than wait for a seat to open in Chicago.

My plan was always laid out like this: ~1 year at poopy HFoF, ~2.5-3 years (preferably <2 years) on the SS, then transition back to Chicago and finally plant my roots in the city and see where it takes me. Cost of living, slower lifestyle, family, and the fact I've lived in Chicago my entire life are the core reasons I want to settle down there rather than in NYC or anywhere else.

However, I am now entering a phase where I don't know what the best practices are to recruit for BS seats. I partook in a interview process at a MM bank in Chicago within their IM branch and actually made it to the final round (I have no idea how given they wanted 3+ years experience) and absolutely loved the process and presenting my idea on the stock they picked.

Ultimately, I'm unsure how to balance my time for "planting seeds" for myself in the handful of AM funds in Chicago. Should I reach out to analysts on LinkedIn and do it the old fashion way? Should I talk to recruiters first while talking to analysts? Are PM's a no-go since they are too busy to really share time with the recruiting process? I could always reach out on LinkedIn and introduce myself but I figured there's a better more efficient way to get my name out there.

I'm looking for any advice possible. I'm also looking for any person who wouldn't mind mentoring me on what it takes to be a good analyst. I've got the basics down on what the jobs entail, I had a small portfolio of healthcare and consumer stocks that did well (not to brag) that I initiated in college to sharpen my skills. I'm more so looking for someone who wouldn't mind sharing their life experience in exchange for unwavering loyalty (if need be I will donate my kidney...) I know I'm not the only one who is trying to start this process for myself, and most of the life lessons I'll learn will come from trial and error, but I want to maximize my efforts to be proficient with my time and others time.

Looking forward to hearing from the community!

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