best path for an hedge fund analyst

Hello people, awesome that it exists a big community like this.

So my question is: Which path can I take to learn the most, be highly qualified and most efficient to work as a hedge fund analyst?

I kinda want to go really in the details, like which schools are good for this? should I take an MBA, masters, CFA?

About my self: I am originally from Norway, after I was done with High School there I started school at Santa Barbara city college. I am currently at my first year and doing an Business Administration, Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T), after this I want to transfer to a god and affordable college and finish a undergraduate in finance. My current goal is to work as an analyst at a hedge fund here in the US. I have been doing a lot of reading but I have not found a great path I can take. At school I am doing my best, since I had a lot of problems in Norway my grades there was not that good, I have made a lot of progress in school since I came here and think I will end up with a strong GPA. At the same time as I am studying I am always reading, doing research and I have been investing for over 3 years now.

I really enjoy finance and I want to learn the most I can but I also appreciate time, so I dont want to waste my time doing things that wont benefit me for achieving my goal. Thanks for all replies.

 

Good if you are doing stressed credit/special sits type of stuff. Less good if you are doing direct lending/IG stuff. Generally speaking if the brand name is good (KKR, BX etc) and you don't stay too long , then it is a very good career opener for HFs.

 
Most Helpful

Depends on what types of HF. ER programs at mega LO shops out of undergrad are very good prep for mid-tier HFs / boutique type of hybrid shops and an ok option for MM platforms depending on your sector expertise. However, you are not going to break into a tiger cub or a distressed shop from LO. You would have to do the IB - (PE) - "top tier" HF route (mix top MBA somewhere in there I guess). I added quotation marks because those HFs are seen as top tier but you may be able to make much more / be more successful at other places as well (if you are good). It's all about your fit with the firm's strategy/culture/PM. There are guys in their 20sat no name $700m shops making more than guys at Coatue. Personally, if you are passionate about investing, I would take ER program at a place like Fidelity over IB because you just learn much more early on. Some of these top LO shops are also super nice in terms of work life balance, culture, learning environment, office/resources, etc that you get to retain your sanity. I do want to say for most people on this forum IB is the way to go.

PS: avoid trading at a BB unless you are on something like HY/ distressed credit, mostly avoid ER unless at MS JP GS top group imo. Both of these options are gonna be even more marginalized in the HF world in the coming decade imo. (completely my guess

 

Yea I agree with you. I worded it wrong since I was on mobile. I meant either the top banks or a top II group at a smaller/boutique shop. I still think a place like GS GIR has a lot of value for a new ER analyst even if not highly ranked, just simply because people care a lot about prestige/clout (sad but that's reality imo).

 

okay so after a lot of reading I think I will go for IB and then carry on to hedge funds. But I have been doing a lot of reading on schools, because in 1.5 year I will be a transfer student, and from the Ivy leauge schools I will apply to Wharton and Cornell, these will be the hard schools I will apply to. But im sure that I will need a backup plan incase my chances are to small for these two schools. What Schools is recommended for IB and hedge fund? A school thats easier to get into as a transfer, have good learning and have a hedge fund for undergrads. Thanks.

 

Eum nisi mollitia voluptas odio. Omnis dicta placeat quis sit rem.

Illo qui non ut ea. Ipsam consequatur illo quisquam sed. Fugiat et aliquam dolore sed eaque magni temporibus cum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 98.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.9%
  • Magnetar Capital 96.8%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.8%
  • AQR Capital Management 94.7%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 98.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.8%
  • Blackstone Group 96.8%
  • Two Sigma Investments 95.7%
  • Citadel Investment Group 94.6%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 97.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 96.9%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.8%
  • Magnetar Capital 94.8%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (23) $474
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (6) $322
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (24) $287
  • Manager (4) $282
  • Engineer/Quant (71) $274
  • 2nd Year Associate (30) $251
  • 1st Year Associate (73) $190
  • Analysts (225) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (22) $131
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (249) $85
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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”