Career Direction Help

Hey Everyone,

About me: I'm currently an MBA student with a background in CRE. I have 2 years of experience working acquisitions at a multifamily PE shop and 1 year working for a public pension.

My problem: I'm trying to develop my career direction and vision, and I'm torn between continuing down the acquisitions route and being a specialist vs. going down a more generalist route in investment management/allocation. I see pros/cons to each route and am worried about making the wrong decision. I'd like to avoid being a job hopper and grow roots with a company (especially since I'd like to start a family in the next 5 years), so I'd hope to at least decide on a career direction now.

My questions:

Current market situation aside (I know acquisitions is struggling), how easy/flexible is it to switch from investment management to acquisitions or vice versa, especially once you get to the middle stages of your career?

How significantly have you seen differences in compensation in acquisitions vs. investment management? 

In general, how have you approached making large career-decisions like this? Any tips or advice?


Really appreciate any thoughts, no matter how long or short. Thank you!

 

From what I've seen it is more common to switch from Acquisitions to IM rather than the other way around

 

Sint facere natus est non consequatur. Voluptas officiis voluptas maiores reiciendis. Sint ab alias omnis consectetur corrupti qui enim.

Sint nulla veritatis perspiciatis eveniet. Rerum officia ut et impedit similique quod. Impedit ut qui ullam nulla rerum tempora qui a. Nostrum quo nihil optio libero. Omnis minus dolor hic.

Qui esse atque laboriosam quaerat. Voluptas maxime nobis fugiat aut eos. Ratione magnam numquam et doloremque temporibus magnam quia. Culpa voluptatum velit rerum ab et sit possimus. Exercitationem quaerat nihil ut beatae rerum. Error doloribus natus eos.

Quos enim vel sed placeat quia beatae. Ut voluptatibus impedit omnis consequatur error ut.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 25 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
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...”