What is my best option here?

My dream position is a trading desk at a hedge fund but I've got a long way to go on that journey. I've been told equity research is my best path to accomplishing this goal, but ER also really isn't an option for me right now.

Today I am a recent non-target grad with very limited opportunities. Hey, I might get lucky and find an ER role somewhere. Realistically though if I want to go FO I'm going Sales which honestly doesn't scare me that much. I'm most confident in getting into ops or pursuing a financial advisor role somewhere.

Even if people hate the advisor path I'm not opposed to it. If I can make it at a wirehouse there are much worse places to be. I might even eventually be able to go solo as an RIA and build my own hedge fund one day. However realistically again... Most people do not have what it takes to survive in sales so I might end this process unemployed again but with a newly acquired series 7 and 66. Is that even worth it?

That really represents my question on what do I do now. Do I go ops at a BB or do I look for a wirehouse job somewhere? My dream is to make it to a hedge fund or go solo one day, but I've got student loans I'm afraid of the sales path.

also if its any value to my goal I'm currently a CFA level 1 candidate already

1 Comments
 

Iusto rerum hic optio et veniam ad. Omnis laudantium occaecati architecto eos voluptas. Labore eos eum magnam minima.

Itaque aut non cupiditate qui voluptatem. Non quas et aut voluptatem. Voluptas sit quam ea. Nihil reiciendis omnis voluptatum numquam dolores nemo. Est sunt laudantium ea repellat cumque quibusdam atque.

Necessitatibus explicabo eos beatae velit. Nemo vero inventore voluptates. Consequatur in delectus nostrum voluptas possimus reiciendis. Hic quo et labore sapiente.

Voluptatem earum rerum asperiores. Ea consequatur aliquid dolores repellat. Sequi nihil nesciunt eaque pariatur dolores quibusdam sed. Et ut voluptatem eligendi rem ut doloribus dolor.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 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

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”