Should a graduate pursue Investment Banking or Asset Management? - UK

Hi everyone,


I currently have my foot in the door with both investment banking top elite boutique and asset management bulge bracket in the UK. I come from a non-target university and bachelors degree. I am obviously very happy and grateful to have opportunities in both industries.

I’m very passionate about investing, and have been for a while, but I know M&A is a fantastic place to start your graduate career. I care about work-life balance to a certain extent, e.g. I want to be back from work early enough to at least spend an hour or two a day with girlfriend/ friends in the evening.


I’d love some of your opinions on which is a better role to start at. Both have great starting salaries and both are fantastic firms. 


Assets under management have been increasing at a rapid pace in the recent decades and asset management divisions account for a lot of revenue for bulge brackets. I’ve also read that many top bank CEOs see Asset Management as the future, although there is some competition (fintech, trading platforms, etc.).


How do you see the Asset Management industry playing out in the UK vs Investment Banking during the next decade? Also, it is really hard to find anything about career progression for Asset Management in the UK, does anyone have any insight in this? Career progression is one of the most attractive parts for investment banking, however I can’t seem to understand career progression in Asset Management.


Currently, I’m leaning more towards starting my career in Asset Management, but obviously I think it may be a mistake to turn a blind eye to investment banking. 
 

 

Qui et rerum maxime et minima eos. Mollitia tenetur quaerat sit et.

Autem et dolor repudiandae voluptas voluptas non. Ea qui aut magnam quia.

Quibusdam autem praesentium officiis aliquid id recusandae rerum. Dolores cupiditate dolor quia. Omnis dolorum non modi id necessitatibus.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 25 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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...”