Stigma Against Late Starters (Lateral)?
Hey monkeys, making the switch to S&T from back office next month at a BB in NYC. Very excited to get started.
I've been doing a ton of networking with Fixed Income traders / structurers, but can't shake this feeling that I'll be looked down on / passed up as I spent 2 years in the BO. I turned 25 very recently and feel like I just completely wasted two years in the BO, and it's honestly tough to see people younger than I am "ahead" of me already. But putting my own pride aside as much as possible, I worry that I'll be perceived to be "less capable" because I spent time in Back Office rather than getting in on the ground floor / being at an associate level but operating as an analyst.
Can anyone comment on this sentiment? Am I too late to the game? Anyone seen someone have success after a lateral?
No, life is over after 25, give up, there is nothing you can do now. Everyone will look down on you and say "there goes the guy that spent 2 years in ...ugh... back office, total failure."
The fact that you were able to make the move shows how unimportant it is that you were in back office.
Being promoted and getting paid is reserved for those that produce and can show their value. It doesn’t matter where you come from, where you went to school, etc. You’re in. Time to get to work.
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2 years behind is hardly late. No one cares.
if you were 45 in the same spot....what would you think?
Considering a lot of traders are semi-retired at that point, that's a different story.
I have friends from college who did prep years for sports that are graduating undergrad at like 24, you're fine.
One of the MDs that recently interviewed me for a superday spent like 5 years in BO operations then switched to Lev Fin. Since starting in FO, he made MD in like 9 years. Pretty frikin impressive tbh.
Did a similar lateral this year (MO to S&T) at a BB in NYC. No one cares as long as you work hard and show value. Should have a leg up on new joiners in terms of systems, internal contacts, and knowing how to get ad-hoc requests done with little direction from seniors in your group.
this thread was surprisingly wholesome. OP good on you for trying to achieve your dreams and actually doing what it took to make the jump (clearly it isn't an easy feat and you accomplished it. Ball is in your court now. Make the most of it
boss (MD) spent 4 years in BO prior to making the switch to FO. you'll be fine
Late comment here but I think it's relevant and hopefully encouraging. In many jobs and moments in your life you will feel like you're behind compared to others or feel like you're not qualified for a particular job or task. Just know that everyone is on a different path and you should stay focused on yourself.
As for feeling like you're less capable -- you're not the only one thinking or feeling that, including the ones you think aren't thinking that. Most or many people feel like they need to fake-it-til-I-make-it, and it's OK to feel that way. You'll learn that as you progress in your career you will continue to feel this way as you take on more responsibility. But know that you're a smart and driven human who can learn and adapt.
Congrats on the move, keep up the hard work.
People respect back office more than you think. The only people that look down on them are losers that post here.
Plenty of guys in front office that are late starters (military vets, women returning to office after raising kids for a few years, mba/grad school career pivoters. No one cares.
Good luck on the new role! And to be clear, most people can't tell the difference from a 25 year old and 22 year old.
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