How difficult is it to move to S&T from IBD?

Fellow monkeys,

Some background: Senior at a target (HYPSW). Recently signed with a BB for IBD FT. Did IBD SA this summer and ER SA at a different BB the summer before that. However, I'm seriously rethinking IBD and was wondering if it would be possible for me to switch the S&T after my 2 year IBD program?

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

11 Comments
 

Definitely possible. Don't expect an immediate switch but speak with HR if there is any interest even before you start your IBD scheme. Don't piss them off though.

Once you are in the firm you have a lot of time to network even if you're working longer hours in IBD. Advisory can open doors to equity and credit research. Depending on where you work within IBD credit HY / distressed also seems like a good possibility where valuation skills matter. A lot of people switch IBD to buy-side hedge funds so think on those lines for banks as well.

In short it's possible but difficult.

 

make the switch if you can. such better exit opps in ib. you give up the lifestyle, but what are you going to do with a few hours more every night anyways? s&t you're going to be going solid 10-13hrs anyway...

 
imahorse

make the switch if you can. such better exit opps in ib. you give up the lifestyle, but what are you going to do with a few hours more every night anyways? s&t you're going to be going solid 10-13hrs anyway...

I'd imagine it's quite a positive to give up the "IBD lifestyle" for that of an S&T analyst...unless you really, really like those 90 hour weeks in the office working on pitch books.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 
imahorse

make the switch if you can. such better exit opps in ib. you give up the lifestyle, but what are you going to do with a few hours more every night anyways? s&t you're going to be going solid 10-13hrs anyway...

What would the OP do with the "few more hours every night"? Hmm.. Make/maintain friendships/relationships, pursue or further hobbies/passions, watch tv, explore a city.. I dunno.. general personal development perhaps, or just enjoying life?

OP - Good Luck

I used to do Asia-Pacific PE (kind of like FoF). Now I do something else but happy to try and answer questions on that stuff.
 

I think it probably also depends on the bank and whether or not they have space / a need for more people on the trading floor. I was at a top BB this summer in S&T and they told us at the beginning of the summer if we were top performers in S&T but decided it wasn't for us they would let us switch to another FO role midway through the summer. So that makes me think it's at least possible to make the move after you've started.

 
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