S&T: If you're pigeonholed-- how to move?

People get pigeonholed in all sorts of ways: some are stuck in a non risk taking role, some stuck in MO/BO, some stuck as a "quant", some stuck in structured product (ex: known as the CDO guy).

Rule #1: if you want to break out, the earlier the better.

the ideal situation is not to get pigeonholed at all. ppl say "ohhh the first job/etc isn't that important, things can change/blah..." The truth is: sure you can always move around/opportunities come up, but it is a lot easier for your career path if you get it right the first time. when you pick a desk, consider what kind of skillsets it really builds, and go for the one that a) interests you and 2) builds a broader range of transferrable skillsets. i always wanted to do S&T over IBD, but even i have to admit that IBD is great in the way that you don't get pigeonholed as easily. so let's say you find out you want to move, you gotta do it as early as possible (speaking as an analyst). the more you stay in current role, the more pigeonholed you are. if you express the desire to move around after 1 year, it shows you have the ambition and drive to pursue what you really want, and that 1 year of experience is not really enough to pigeonhole you too much. if you stay from analyst all the way to associate, it'd tell a different story. ppl may ask "why didn't you think of it earlier" or "why did you decide to stay in that area so long". the longer you stay, the more complacent and comfortable you get. pay begins to increase, hours start to get better, and you gradually become less interested in trying out something new (even if it interests you way more than what you are doing now) -- because you dont want to take a pay cut/start as a first year analyst again/etc.

RULE #2: rely on your network and hustle.

BBs have internal postings. some trading desks that fail to grab their share of analysts/associates will advertize on it. so take notice - those opportunities dont come easy.

but most of all, you need to rely on your network. if you don't already have a strong network, well, try to build it, it is never too late. Ppl you already know can really help you because they know you are a good person and know your work ethics and general positive attitude. so you don;t have to prove that to them all over again. so network with your contacts and see if opportunities are popping up on their end...

other rules:

be good at your current job. the team you want may ask your boss for your performance. you want to be the guy who says "well it wasnt what i wanted but i busted my ass and accomplished a lot"