I work on the sales desk in NY of a major European BB (CS/DB/UBS) but got a trading offer from a well known fund in Boston (Fidelity/Putnam/Wellington). I want to take the buyside offer because its buyside and the fund is prestigious but I also kind of hate boston. What should I do? Stick it out in NYC sales? but the buyside would be a great experience..
| +23 | Layoff Stigma | 12 | 23h |
| +18 | Don’t underestimate how risky joining a startup is | 3 | 1d |
| +18 | Advice for incoming freshman @ target | 5 | 6h |
| +17 | Down bad for career advice | 3 | 1d |
| +14 | How to approach moving offices within a national brokerage? | 3 | 2d |
| +13 | Feeling pigeonholed due to past internships | 3 | 2d |
| +10 | Low Tiew Consulting vs Middle Office at an mid-size Investment Firm | 2 | 3d |
| +9 | Startup offer as a graduate | 1 | 3d |
| +9 | Feeling behind | 1 | 8h |
| +9 | 2027 FT IB Recruiting from Private Credit | 3 | 23h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Boston sucks, but so does sales. It's a tough call.
Also, you don't know if you'll be any good at trading until you try it. If you fail, you can always go back to sales. Making the jump to trading isn't easy, so if someone is willing to give you a shot, even though you don't currently manage any risk, I'd probably take it.
The lifestyle is a lot different on the buy-side as well. I'm guessing that you're an equities guy, because it seems to be easier to make the sales-to-trading jump within the equity space than anywhere else. Whatever you 'trade,' though, at one of those firms, you're going to be an investment analyst for a little while (a portfolio manager's go-for). Long-run, though, you'll eventually get your own book, a mandate, better hours, and more freedom in what you do.
I think the job is MUCH better than what you currently do (I don't care which BB you sell for), but I'm a macro prop trader, so my answer is clearly biased.
Hope this helps.
I was in a similar situation but I am a new analyst. Boston does suck. maybe you can make your way to buyside in new york at another firm.
why does sales suck?
Because you're just doing calls, limited learning exp relative to other roles.
Personally, I don't think Boston sucks. More laid back. But that's my pref.
Nemo optio corporis et nihil itaque. Accusantium consequuntur harum eos dignissimos rerum voluptatibus. Est quibusdam nisi illum suscipit unde eligendi et. Tempore soluta nihil quo necessitatibus.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...