Choosing Desk (seeking advice)

Hi,

I am starting my internship position in S&T in a month's time, and have been informed that we'll be attending a 'speedating' event with the different desks in order for both them and us to shortlist our favourites. Disclaimer - the bank I'm starting at is large, but not a BB. I want to work on a Sales desk, and my initial thoughts are that I'd be well suited in equities sales.

However, there as so many variables to consider that I feel it would be helpful to get advice from those with experience in the industry. My main points of consideration:

- Specific role: How different is the day to day in different asset classes? E.g. would credit sales require bottom up / fundamental analysis, whereas rates / FX be far less technical / more top-down analysis? I am struggling to find guidance on how technical Sales is - with some people saying it can get technical, and others saying it's not at all.

- Job security: Presumably I am more valuable on a desk selling more illiquid and or structured products, rather than say, cash equities - which I presume are extremely automated. What desks have the best value add, and is this something important to consider?

- Exit options: Working on a more macro orientated desk, e.g. FX / Rates, apparently offers the best exit opps, as can move into HF industry (in a macro fund ofc). How do exit opps in say US equities sales compare? If I want to try and move into sales at a bb, are any particular products viewed more favourably?

Ultimately, I'm sure I'll be happy on whatever desk and make sure to throw myself into it. I am also aware that people switch products, so it's not the end of the world if I end up working with a product I'm not 100% happy with for a few months. I just want to make sure I am setting myself up for a role I enjoy, with good job security and exit opportunities.

Side note; this is my first post and so I apologise for any errors / if I've posted in the wrong place. Also, as previously stated, I am brand new to the industry so I apologise for any sweeping generalisations / dumb questions - it's really difficult to find reliable knowledge and answers before having actually stepped foot on a trading floor.

Thanks so much for any help anybody can provide 😊

1 Comments
 

Eos quam repudiandae ut commodi deserunt. Natus laborum mollitia laboriosam odio voluptate. Assumenda temporibus quibusdam optio animi doloremque est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”