What Are The Best Alternatives Of Sales and Trading

I am genuinely fascinated by the markets, game theory, human psychology, and such a level of high-stakes decision making. But S&T is a shrinking field. So, looking for the best alternatives to these careers? Where do people that don't get in go? For Sales? For Trading? I work best under pressure and on a deadline basis. I tend to prefer a high pressure, competitive, fast paced environment.

8 Comments
 
"Intern in S&T - Other" I tend to prefer a high pressure, competitive, fast paced environment.

Don't use that wording ever again. That's a generic bullshit from 90% of Linkedin profiles. I mean, really, don't use it. Hint: most, if not all of the jobs people have on WSO can be described with these words.

As for your question, have you considered investment advisory at a decent brokerage?

“Destiny is a gift. Some go their entire lives, living existences of quiet desperation, never learning the truth that what feels as though a burden pushing down upon their shoulders is really a sense of purpose that lifts us to greater heights. Never forget that fear is but the precursor to valor, that to strive and triumph in the face of fear is what it means to be a hero. Don’t think. Become.”
 

Thanks But S&T is more fast paced oriented than IB. I work well under pressure but have trouble staying focused on single tasks for long periods. So, do you mean PWM? Asset Management Sales?

 
Most Helpful

Sales:

  • B2B Tech Sales or Customer Success

  • Investor Relations at an HF; Cap Intro at a Prime Brokerage

  • UHNW PWM/PB

  • Media Sales at a Media Owner/Media Sales Agency

  • Retail Fund Distribution at an AM house

  • Inter-Dealer Brokerage

Trading:

  • Options/Futures Market Making (i.e. non-algo) at a Prop Shop

  • Physical Commodities Trading at a commodities house/utilities company/energy coomany

  • Buyside Execution Trading

  • Hedging Desks in a Large Corporate's Treasury Dept

  • Media Buying at a Media Agency

  • Sports Trading at a Sports Betting/Wagering House

  • Global Macro Investing (but you typically need a background in Macro S&T first)

Those are the most "similar" roles that I could think of. Other markets related career paths tend to be more analysis heavy rather than relationship or fast-paced/quick-thinking heavy - i.e. Fundamental Investing, Sellside Equity/Credit Research, Structuring, Buyside/Sellside Macro Research

Was obsessed with finance, now do product in tech
 

Voluptas ut est autem quibusdam quis enim commodi. Possimus consequuntur fuga repellendus doloremque tempora. Fugiat magnam libero est voluptas est. Eius ipsa necessitatibus excepturi. Tenetur explicabo voluptatem eaque asperiores saepe earum. Enim excepturi nam illo eos exercitationem.

Error esse qui ut et ut. Cumque voluptatem quibusdam optio nobis doloremque iusto facere sapiente. Aut earum eos voluptatem hic qui.

Illo vel quae mollitia. Quisquam cupiditate eius molestiae ea sunt. Voluptatem sint ab ut ipsa quam pariatur incidunt sed. Dolor voluptatum dicta et. Quia pariatur laborum numquam veritatis qui.

 

Recusandae consequuntur reiciendis suscipit amet. Laudantium excepturi minima et ut. Eum tempora doloribus sequi facere minus maiores.

Animi aut dolor est maxime repudiandae error et laboriosam. Vel et voluptates aut et quidem temporibus aperiam. Porro pariatur explicabo asperiores aperiam.

[Comment removed by mod team]

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 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 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 (79) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”