Should I take this BB SA offer in S&T?

Hey everyone. Been a lurker on here for a while, but have a question regarding the outlook of Sales & Trading Industry, and the skillset/versatility in particular. So I just got my first BB SA offer in an S&T department (think DB/UBS/WF/RBC level) as a non-target student, but given how poorly everyone has been talking about the industry, I'm having second thoughts. I hear so much talk about how S&T is 'dying' and how the exit opps are so poor, and how regulated everything is. Is this really true? I have good programming and coding skills, and come from a data-heavy background (Fintech/Analytics) but want to do something front-office with long-term sustainability, buy or sell-side, that incorporates technology and quant work. I applied to quant programs but most either rejected me or gave my resume to S&T folks. To any former BB S&T Summer Analysts:1) Is it possible to get a S&T return offer as a quant/strat, if I network? Or would I only have a shot at FT Sales-Trader positions?2) What about getting a return offer as a Sales-Trader, but on a more coding/quant-heavy trading desk like derivatives/options? Or would I just be pidgeon-holed into the classic "equities sales-trader" role?3) If I realize S&T isn't for me, is it possible to lateral internally to IBD? My GPA is a 3.7 from a non-target (STEM major) Would love to hear anyone's thoughts in S&T. Thanks so much!

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

If you think you would like S&T, especially since you have coding skills I say go for it. It pays well especially considering hours vs banking. And having a bank on your resume helps. If you dont like it or get cut you can likely go to business school (not to familiar with exit ops). Basically trade something illiquid/complex with no/little coding or algo trading. Sales is always important and a good skill to have. Structuring is an interesting area especially in the future. Basically if you think you would like S&T, and have no other offers 100% do it. You could reneg if you get something you’d rather. Post above me said it right.

 

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