ECM or PE?

I’ve been working in tech coverage for the past 2+ years. After speaking with some guys on the ECM desk, it sounds like they work significantly less than me, but get paid almost the same. The group wants to add more people to their team and would be open to accepting internal lateral candidates.I am wondering if it would be a good or bad idea to go into capital markets? Or should I recruit for PE like everyone else? I am fairly indifferent to prestige. I just want high comp consistently and slightly better hours than what I am working now

5 Comments
 

As a laid off former junior ECM banker who thoroughly enjoyed the period of high issuance from 2017 - 2021, this is very accurate.

The job became much more of a drag during the equity issuance downturn in 2022 and 2023. No job security, waves of layoffs, bonuses down significantly, and basically 90% pitching, 10% trying to instill life in deals dead in the water. .

 

Dolorum nemo quisquam ipsum. Odio qui ducimus dolores veritatis esse.

Optio et consequatur impedit velit consequatur voluptates molestiae. Sapiente voluptas aperiam nihil sint culpa. Aut voluptatem qui aut similique aliquid ducimus ut voluptas. Quasi quia odit molestiae quam nihil. Id laudantium sint et architecto quod laboriosam. Quia sit ullam aliquid veritatis qui.

charts
Better Odds of Getting Into Private Equity With WSO
We help you land the role or you get free tuition.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
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...”