"Novel" Paths

I've been reading older posts on PE, search funds, etc., from when these industries were less mature. It's interesting to see them now because, at the time, they represented emerging opportunities—sectors you could have "bet" on early.

I come from a non-finance STEM background and started in finance at a local investment bank in a front-office role, though from what I gather, the exit opportunities are limited. I'm planning to pursue a respected Master's in Finance to transition into a role with more optionality at a top firm.

That said, I'm also interested in understanding what "novel" paths in finance look like today. What industries or sub-sectors have you seen emerge recently? Which do you think have real staying power and growth potential (ignoring macro factors outside our control)?

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