Operations to FO

to switch to a FO role. After careful considerations I have come to three main ideas.

  1. Try to apply Internally (Given I am non-target this will be extremely hard. I am studying to obtain licensing with the hopes this can show initiative + demonstrate knowledge as well as networking like mad with the hopes it works out)

  2. MBA (I have not taken the GMAT but have time on my hands. I’m just not sure how hard it would be to get into a T10/15 school with only experience from operations)

  3. Rotational Program (I have personally seen people succeed in Development Rotational Programs within banks but don’t know much about them)

Is there anything else I could be doing? Any help is appreciated!

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Define yourself. Your in operations now - operations of what? Bank? Hedge Fund? Asset Manager? What type of front office job/firm are you looking for? Not all FO roles are created equal and look for completely different people.

  1. Most likely not going to happen in this market. Too many other compelling candidates and no one already in the front office is going to put their neck on the line to try and pull for you.
  2. Possible, but expensive opportunity cost, not easy to get into unless there's something compelling/unique about your circumstances or you check the DEI box, and dwindling in value with each passing year.
  3. Never heard of banks, HF, AM, or PE/VC doing rotational programs for front office roles so I'm assuming this is corporate? Could work, but what compelling reason is there for one to take you? From what I've anecdotally seen they're typically intended for fresh grads, not lateral hires (correct me if I'm wrong, I honestly don't know). 
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