IB/AM/Trading/Consulting

I was trying map out the pros and cons of careers in these four fields. However, I don't have any real world experience besides a brief consulting project, so I was hoping that people more familiar with the fields will pitch in. Here goes my attempt...
IB:
Pros: large bonuses, exit opps, best overall pay
Cons: hours, burn-out job
Consulting:
Pros: high paying early on, variety of work, travel (if single), travel points are nice.
Cons: travel (if married/in a relationship), pay curve isn't very steep, exits opps?, pay isn't very dependent on performance
Trading:
Pros: performance based pay, casual/little client interaction, less rigid corporate structure?,
Cons: more narrow exit opps, possibility of being replaced by algorithm trading?
AM: honestly don't have much on this one
Pros: exits to HF/PE, pay related to performance, buy side
Cons: strict progression schedule, CFA exam, tough to start on the buy side
Let me know what you guys think. I appreciate the input.

6 Comments
 

I'd say that most consultants (even the single ones) would list travel as a con. You're not exactly hitting up Tahiti and staying at the Ritz. There's nothing fun about spending Mon - Thurs in Wyoming working out of the Holiday Inn because it's the only hotel in the area.

Would add rigid corporate culture / hierarchical nature to IB cons.

Also, the fact that trading is a shrinking industry is probably a con as well.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

Agreed NorthSider. I think travel is overly romanticized and gets old fairly quickly, but I know a surprising number of people who love it so I thought I'd throw it in there. I was wondering if IB remains as structured once you get up the ladder a little bit? Does it still follow a rigid schedule?

 
deomixAgreed NorthSider. I think travel is overly romanticized and gets old fairly quickly, but I know a surprising number of people who love it so I thought I'd throw it in there. I was wondering if IB remains as structured once you get up the ladder a little bit? Does it still follow a rigid schedule?

By rigid schedule, do you mean working schedule or promotion schedule?

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

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