Starting Out In Fixed Income: Buy Side vs Sell Side

I just landed an entry-level position today in Asset Management (Fixed Income Analyst). Salary is lower than BB entry level salary.

What are the differences between this and something similar on the sell-side (Credit Structuring, Credit Risk, etc) in terms of pay / growth / exit opps to HF / PE / B-School?

I have heard that it's better to start on the sell side, since it's more intense, you learn more, and they have formal training programs. Can anyone shine a light on that?

For the record, yes I have used the search function but all I could find were threads on Equity Research.

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Best Response

Not sure I'd say the sell side is more intense or a place you learn more. I guess it depends on the firm, but plenty of buy-side shops (especially the BBs) have organized training programs and give you plenty of responsibilities even as a 1st year. As far as exit opps, if you look at the job description of HFs in particular, they require experience on either the sell-side or buy-side, so I don't think it really matters as long as you're good at what you do. I think the same would go for B-school. PE tends to get more sell-side because of the normal ibanking-PE path, but if you really wanted to make the switch, you could (I have several friends who have done it).

 
FXTrader
lurkerNot sure I'd say the sell side is more intense or a place you learn more. I guess it depends on the firm, but plenty of buy-side shops (especially the BBs) have organized training programs and give you plenty of responsibilities even as a 1st year.

BBs are not buy-side shops....

I think he means BB IM arms?

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 
ElijahPriceGuys, this is with a mutual fund, not a BB. Thanks.

So, would you be working on internal research on fixed income products that the fund was looking into buying?

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 

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