Advice on Career Transition

Hi All,

Long-time lurker, but first time posting on the forum. I'm just looking for some guidance on my career and I guess to see some other opinions. A bit of background - I currently work as an Analyst at a well-known SM HF within my country (wouldn't be known globally), with the strategy having over ~$8bln (wider groups manages more) - I joined straight out of undergrad and have been around for 1.5 years - I've had some rotations through Consumer/Infrastructure over this period, and the coverage has been quite interesting. I joined mainly because I had a passion for public markets, but given market conditions IB and ER weren't really feasible (all my experience prior to this has been internships at small AM shops). The compensation is average, though lower on a salary basis compared to IB/S&T, but bonuses make up for it generally - but given the large variability this is never guaranteed. 

My main issue recently has come after discussions and some reflection, I personally don't know if I made the right decision - despite enjoying public markets the firm doesn't have the same global reputation like the BBs or MM's (Point72/Millenium), making me fear a bit for my future and whether the skills I'm learning are transferable to other fields. I've seen a number of roles for Equity Sales pop around, and other Sell-Side research roles at the BB's and have been considering if trying to make the jump is worth it (mainly for the brand-name). People from the firm have exited to well-known funds, but it's very analyst specific. 

Apologies for the lack of specifics, but trying not to dox myself as much as possible. Any advice would be welcome

TLDR - Don't know if I made the right decision - Is jumping to SS Research/S&T worth it?

4 Comments
 

Thanks for taking the time to respond - Understand Equity Sales and SS ER are completely different, but just highlighted those two as I thought I'd have the higher chance theoretically of switching into these roles (compared to IB). Having the brand name in this scenario is more "insurance" if that's the best way to describe it, provides further security compared to a (well-known locally but not globally) investment fund. Despite my love of public markets, I feel like SS ER is a more stable career that provides the optionality of moving back to buyside. 

 

Corrupti et repudiandae quo sunt. Adipisci vitae rem temporibus. Non quia quasi laborum temporibus. Dolorum qui qui magni et sunt. Rerum vel qui qui.

Est consequatur dicta ut qui. Corporis aut et culpa qui qui qui. Ut reprehenderit et et. Voluptas suscipit officiis laudantium cupiditate id quia culpa. Fugit est et est ut maxime dicta provident.

Veniam excepturi sed et est non autem cumque. Dolorem laboriosam in occaecati non ut ex. Dolore voluptatem est ipsa est. Tenetur officiis et cupiditate. Molestias a hic ut sit aut assumenda.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Millennium Partners 95.0%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $192
  • Analysts (242) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (28) $146
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”