<p>Many state the best path after spending time in ibanking as an analyst or associate is exiting into hedge funds, VC, PE, ect. After one is an analyst or even associate investment banker why would they want to exit? Isn't the hard part filled with never ending hours mostly finished, plus would they be making more by exiting rather then pursuing a job as a vp at the ibank? May be a broad question but I just am curious of the exit path. Exactly what jobs would one enter from analyst/associate?</p>
<p>Analysts (and to a lesser extent associates as well) usually leave for better hours. Even managing directors, the tippy top of the food chain, still put in 60 hour weeks somewhat regularly. </p>
<p>If you leave for private equity/venture capital/a hedge fund, you will usually have better hours and better pay. However, a lot of these positions have been decreasing as these funds realize what looked like great investments turned out to be poor ones. There are a lot more factors going into this, but I will spare you the five page report on why I think this.</p>
<p>Another route that is talked about less is corporate finance at a Fortune 100/500 firm.</p>
<p>Some will transfer within the bank to credit or equity research (another position I think is going to decrease over time).</p>
<p>The hours and pay are usually the big reasons. Beyond that, many people just get burnt out on constantly pushing and stressing for clients when they can be the client (i.e. working for a P/E shop). Remember, no matter what rank you are in IB, especially BB IB, you are always pushing for business, pushing for clients, which means the hours are usually going to be longer, the demands can come at any time the client wishes and when requested, you need to act - from analyst to MD - as you go from analyst to MD, your hours usually decrease, but your travel time increases (which means time away from home, family, etc) and no matter what some people will say, traveling 6 hours for an all-day board meeting and then fly back home either that evening or the next morning is not fun. </p>
<p>Finally, some people just want a change of scenery, don’t see much room for advancement beyond analyst (or even associate) or have been having issues with their group.</p>
<p>The most popular avenues are PE, VC, corp dev and fin, research and boutique IB.</p>
<p>IBanker</p>
<p>what specific jobs/positions do they transfer into. And the pay is greater?</p>