Research to Impact investing with a pay cut, worth it?

For the past 5 years, I have spent 2 in ER, and next month will mark my 3rd year in credit research here in Toronto.

I have explored opportunities in the buy side, but market here is very small and we don't really have too many openings

I am pretty interested in impact investing, and recently offered a role with a foundation that is doing early/mid stage debt, convertible and some limited equity investments in tech and healthcare companies. Team consists of  20% finance ppl, 40% hard core tech/med guy, and 30% policy maker and 10% others.

Pay is expected to go down to 80k without bonus (it is a foundation at the end of day)

Now I am at 85k plus 20-25k bonus (pay is lower in Canada )

Pros:

the deal flow is very strong, and it partners with lots of big players in the field

it is a pretty rare opportunity for someone interested in impact investing, actually my first time seeing an Associate role in the field here in Canada 

Cons:

pay is much lower now

most of investments are early stage, so not too much of modelling. Most of work will be on debt term sheet, structuring and negotiation, of course, there is due diligence as well.

it is a foundation, so expect it to be a bit bureaucratic, and some admin/mundane work as well   

What do you guys think? Really tough call for me, but investing or impact investing jobs are so rare here, and once there are, tons of bankers, research and big 4 guys will compete. 

Appreciate any inputs   

3 Comments
 
 

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