Corporate Finance --> HF?
Have the opportunity to join a technology/media company in their corporate finance department and wanted to see how feasible a switch to a value-oriented HF would be down the road. I'm not caught up on mega-funds - happy with a fund of any size. Thoughts on how a candidate with a corporate finance and credit research background would look? And how to go about networking once out of the more "traditional" industry?
Bump. Would appreciate any thoughts.
Can it happen? Yes. Is it going to happen without strategic maneuvering and positioning? No. Can it happen for you with your background? Maybe, but I'd also keep my eye on some other roles which are interesting as well. It would be an incredible combination of preparation and luck to make that sort of a switch happen.
Corp Fin (Oil Company) to Hedge Fund? (Originally Posted: 05/26/2011)
Hello all,
Background: Graduated December 2010 from a non-target state school, currently working for a supermajor oil company as a financial analyst. I do a lot of fundamental analysis on companies that my company trades with, I've also taken on great responsiblities in my current position. I'm in a rotational program and will be switching into another job in about 12-14 months. Before my next job I will be placed in an intense (from what I've heard) industry specific finance training program for 3 months.
Goal: I want to work for a hedge fund after getting my MBA. I'm planning on starting my MBA in 3 years.
Dilemma: I know that Hedge Funds generally hire people with either specialized backgrounds or people who have worked as analysts/associates at IB/PE. I'm in the process of devising a plan where I can reach my goal in a timely manner. I'm studying for my CFA and will be sitting for the first exam in December.
Should I try to leave this company and find a job as an IB analyst or should I stick around and see if they can place me in a role that will enhance my knowledge of the industry. I'm learning a great deal right now but I'm not sure how valuable my current experience would be to a Hedge Fund.
If I were to leave my job at the end of the year I would then have 1 year of supermajor oil experience and 2 years of IB experience (potentially) before I start my MBA (I want to go to Rice). If I were to stay here I would be able to experience different jobs at the company and learn about the industry and learn how the big players of business function...
I would appreciate any advice, but especially advice from people currently in HF.
Thanks for reading.
2 Questions: 1) What sort of financial analysis are you doing on those companies? 2) How many more rotations does your program involve and do you know what they will be?
If your job includes or will include work in the commodity trading arm of your company, you may have options at macro/commodity-oriented funds. If your job is purely corporate finance, then energy-focused PE may be a more favorable path, but HFs are still an option (plenty of large fundamental funds have energy desks/energy analysts), especially if you're doing the "right" kind of financial analysis on your competitors. Energy analysts often have backgrounds in the industry because of the amount of specialized knowledge involved-the sr. analyst who covers E&P at the fund I work for worked at an oilfield services company before getting into finance as an energy banker post-MBA. I wouldn't recommend ditching your current job for a banking analyst role unless you hate the sector/industry. In either case, the alternative investment universe often looks for people who have finance experience before MBA, so that's something to consider-you should at least be open to sell-side options post-MBA.
1) You can call it basic fundamental analysis, I spread financials for a specific sector of companies I cover. I look for the basic stuff, debt to equity, current and quick ratio, contributions, cash flow, capex, etc. I deal with S and C corps and also some major public companies. If their financials are good then we do business.
2) 4 or 5 rotations before we decide which career path we want to take. Each rotation is about 18 months. My next rotation can be an accounting position or something in financial planning and strategy. I would absolutely hate accounting which is why I'm working extremely hard right now to make sure that I get into a strategy role for my next rotation.
I can probably get into a supply and trading role after my 2nd rotation. Do you think the experience I'm getting will be more valuable than say me getting into banking and actually working on oil and gas M&A's and advisory? I'm very confused as to what I should do. I know for a fact that I want to be at a Hedge Fund down the road, but now I just need to see what I can do now to get there.
For the past few months I've been thinking that to even get into IB as an analyst will be difficult, but I've started networking and from what I can sense from people is that my experience might help a little if I go for a IB analyst position in about 6 or 7 months. But as I get more settled in at my company I'm beginning to understand how big this company is and the opportunities I can have working here.
I can sacrifice the comfort and security I have at this company if it means that I will be in a better position to get into a HF. I just wanted some opinions on what I should do.
Wow! This rotation program is from 6-7.5 years?? That's a LONG program.
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