<p>Hello, I am currently a rising sophmore at Lehigh University with a double major in Finance and Accounting with a minor in Global Studies and Philosophy. I have a strong passion for financial analysis,investing and the buy-side and my future goal is to become portfolio/fund manager (preferbably Hedge Fund) yet Investment Banking seems so alluring with M&A, advisory and deal strucutring. I am currently interning at Morgan Stanley and have thought about the idea of going into Investment Banking after I graduate for 8 - 10 years then switching to the Investment Managment side..what do you think is the best career path to become a fund manager or portfolio manager?</p>
<p>It’s tough to say. Many i-bankers have jumped onto hedge funds in the last few years, but it is difficult to determine how available/common that transition will be in 8+ years.</p>
<p>It’s definitely do-able but I would say the best bet is to go into the area you enjoy the most and are most skilled in.</p>
<p>Do note though, that is may be unwise to convince yourself that you’ll be in i-banking for 8 years+, the turnover rate is quite high.</p>
<p>I have gotten advice from people at work that its best to first get banking experience in order to learn the valuation metrics, deal strucutring and skills then go towards investment managment since the work your doing as an junior analyst in IM is minsicule and basically nothing close to stock picking, portfolio managment that the senior postions are doing.</p>
<p>I’d say that’s pretty solid advice overall.</p>