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

 

Eligendi omnis hic aliquid quod. Qui nostrum dolor et nam. Iure quos et quaerat. Possimus culpa praesentium non rerum.

Voluptate nihil et saepe. Doloribus ab numquam ea expedita quia et.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
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...”