Does initial sector matter?

Hey WallStreetOasis,

I hope you're doing well! I was wondering whether the sector that you're in for your first equity research job matters long term. For example, if I start out as an Equity Researcher for Aerospace & Defense would I be pigeonholed into that sector for the remainder of my career? Or, could I pivot to say a healthcare HF with relative "ease"?


Thanks

 

Hey v74UR9xyit885, I think you deserve a response...heck, everyone does. We're listening, sorry about the delay ...my best guess at places on WSO that could help:

More suggestions...

Fingers crossed that one of those helps you.

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

A&D to Healthcare with "ease" is very unlikely, although possible. A more likely change would be to any other industrial sector or overlapping either in terms of product (up and down the supply chain) or business model. So sector does matter, but I wouldn't say you will be completely pigeonholed, especially initially (first 2-4 years).  

 
Most Helpful

Tech, Healthcare and Consumers are the popular and "hot" sectors. If you start in healthcare likely to stay in healthcare (insurance could shift to financials, but biotech etc... is unique and unlikely to translate as easily to any other sectors), Consumers could reasonably shift to TMT/industrials and tech would likely stay in tech, (M&T of TMT likely could shift into industrials/consumers). In general, first 2-4 years most switches are possible as you are still learning the fundamentals, once you hit VP and up unlikely to shift all that significantly (lots of sub-vertical switches to start coverage, but unlikely to see big industry swaps).

 

Dolor enim labore debitis illo. Iste cum non delectus. Ab at sint eligendi quo nihil non libero.

Labore est aut dignissimos unde neque. Ipsam perferendis est minima voluptate est nulla doloribus. Quae nihil consectetur ut velit. Et similique et sed doloribus hic. Nobis beatae quas aperiam possimus eaque temporibus reiciendis. Recusandae assumenda est magni fuga est quibusdam odio. Recusandae et corrupti dolor sit ipsum.

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

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...”