in search of some career advice

question for the group - general ops management and trading guy just looking for some suggestions on career planning on my next step- curious as to what your thoughts are as to what paths are realistically open to someone with this type of background.
I am not looking for judgement, as I know my credentials are not stellar, but just another monkey looking for some suggestions.
I'm a 40 year old male, works in NYC -Manhattan- that has spent his entire career since college in the financial services industry. My undergraduate degree is from a NJ state college, and is a liberal arts, non-business degree. My first job out of college was working for a branch office doing basic stock and option order entry. A year later, I got a job working for a financial planning firm assisting financial planners. A few years later, I got a job working for a small boutique brokerage firm. I have been with that firm for the past 12 years. During that period of time, I completed an MBA in general management from a mid-level state university program (not directly applicable, but I did take some finance and economics courses along the way). I also passed the following exams - Series 7,63,55,24,4,and 53. My basic role at this firm is handling all operations issues, dealing with clients, as well as executing trades for retail clients, as well as money managers and hedge funds. I will take orders on stocks of all levels of liquidity, and work orders, take large vwap orders, etc. My background is clearly not a stellar one - I never really intended to stay at one firm for 12 years, but was completing my MBA as the 2008 meltdown hit, and have stayed here since. I have a mortgage, a wife that works part-time and two elementary school age sons. I earn about 130k a year, doing what I am doing. The owner of the company is in his 70's and I can't assume that this job will be available for me forever. For someone with this type of background, what type of options are available for someone like me? I fear that whatever step is next might involve a pay-cut. At this stage of the game, what options are open to someone with this type of background? be brutally honest if you want, i know my background is not spectacular, just curious as to what your thoughts are as to what paths are realistically open to someone with this type of background

1 Comments
 

Aut magnam dolor quia omnis eligendi amet. Enim nihil assumenda sed magnam eum dolores minus consequatur. Fugit voluptatem ab provident autem minima. Ea ut sunt mollitia nesciunt aut.

make it hard to spot the general by working like a soldier

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”