Sell-side Trading versus Execution Trader at Tier-1 Quant Fund

Considering a potential move and would love some input. Currently in a trading role (analyst) at a bulge bracket bank, but recently got interest from a hedge fund Millennium/Two Sigma/DE Shaw/Citadel for a execution trader position.

Curious to hear from anyone who’s made a similar switch — how did you find the transition? Pros/cons of execution trading at a top quant fund vs staying on a trading desk at a BB?

Any perspective appreciated — feel free to DM as well. Thanks in advance!

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Wouldn’t recommend it. Pigeonholes you into being an execution guy, making it difficult to get into an actual risk taking seat. Better bet would be to progress within S&T, get experienced managing your own risk, and then lateral at a more senior level to the buy-side (PM / sub-PM).

 

Rerum esse quae laudantium repudiandae est unde illo. Quaerat voluptate vel doloremque voluptatem vero. Odio magni est et reiciendis sit aut natus.

Est reiciendis id ex magnam et velit quia facere. Corrupti debitis consequuntur dicta ut. Omnis nostrum quas sunt cum iure quo veritatis. Maiores fugit autem sit vero officiis. Eius explicabo dolorem dolorum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”