Econjobrumors is an online forum started in 2006 for economics students, professors, and professionals to discuss job prospects, academic programs, department gossip, salaries, and other topics related to the economics academic job market. With over 100,000 members, it has become an influential site for information exchange in the economics community.
However, Econjobrumors has also developed a controversial reputation over the years. The anonymous nature of the site has led to unfiltered conversations that are often uncivil, offensive, or discriminatory. There have been many accusations of racism, sexism, and bullying on the forum. Critics argue the site propagates harmful stereotypes and hurts the reputation of the economics profession.
Supporters counter that Econjobrumors finance provides valuable insider information not available elsewhere. The anonymity allows candid discussions about sensitive academic issues. They argue the site reflects problems already existing in the economics community that should be addressed. Econjobrumors remains popular despite its negative aspects.
Topic Focus on Econjobrumors Finance Discussions
Econjobrumors has a vibrant community focused on discussing careers and topics related to finance. The finance forum sees active conversations covering the major players and careers paths in the industry.
Some of the most popular topics include:
Investment banking – Discussing major banks like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, and more. Conversations focus on interview experiences, reputation of groups, work/life balance, and compensation.
Hedge funds and asset management – Posts related to major funds like Citadel, Point72, Bridgewater, Renaissance Technologies, DE Shaw, Two Sigma, and others. Discussions include interview tips, strategies funds employ, performance, and prestige.
Quantitative finance/trading – Conversations around quant developer, trader, and researcher roles at prop shops, HFT firms, and banks. Topics include programming interviews, math/stats used, volatility, and technology.
FinTech – The rise of financial technology companies is an emerging area. Posts look at leading firms like Stripe, Plaid, Chime, and discuss their cultures, growth, and impact on finance.
Financial careers – General advice around breaking into finance, whether investment banking, hedge funds, FinTech, quant finance, financial analysis, and more. Salaries, education requirements, skills needed, and exit opportunities are examined.
The Econjobrumors finance forum provides an inside look at the major players, careers, topics, and issues within the industry. With first-hand experiences and perspectives shared, it offers an invaluable resource for those interested in or working in the field.
Advice for Aspiring Finance Jobs
Finance is a competitive industry to break into, but with the right preparation and persistence, it’s achievable for many. Here are some common tips seen on Econjobrumors for those looking to enter finance careers:
Networking is crucial – Leverage your alumni network, attend industry events, do informational interviews. Building connections increases the likelihood of getting your foot in the door.
Perfect the resume – Quantify achievements, tailor to roles, showcase technical skills. Finance resumes need to impress at a glance.
Interview practice makes perfect – Expect technical questions, market brainteasers and behavioral interviews. Practice common questions until responses are smooth and confident.
Highlight relevant skills – Mathematical ability, financial modeling, data analysis and programming are key. Obtain skills through coursework, online learning and side projects.
Target top programs – On-campus recruitment, internships, training programs at reputable banks and firms are advantageous. Apply widely and leverage all options.
Consider further education – Advanced degrees like an MBA or CFA may provide an edge. Weigh costs/benefits and other paths to your goals.
Persistence is necessary – A career in finance often takes hundreds of applications. Don’t get discouraged by early rejections.
With diligent preparation and relentlessness, an aspiring candidate can land a coveted role in finance. Targeting the right opportunities, showcasing the in-demand skills, and tapping networks increase the chances of success.
Discussion of Top Finance Employers
Econjobrumors users frequently discuss top employers in finance like investment banks, hedge funds, and asset management firms. The most talked about investment banks are Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, and Citigroup.
Goldman Sachs seems to generate a lot of strong opinions – some love the prestige and exit opportunities, while others complain about long hours and competitive culture. There are many debates around work/life balance and compensation at Goldman.
Bridgewater and Citadel are two of the most discussed hedge funds. Many are fascinated by Bridgewater’s unique culture and principles, though some argue it’s too intense. Citadel is known for its trading focus and high compensation. There are mixed reviews on the working environment.
Blackstone and KKR are often mentioned among the top private equity firms. They offer the opportunity to work on large buyout deals, but also require long hours and travel.
In asset management, the most prestigious firms discussed include Vanguard, BlackRock, and PIMCO. They offer strong training programs and competitive compensation, though some complain about slower career progression compared to banks.
Overall there is no consensus on the best top finance employer. Opinions vary based on individual preferences around work/life balance, compensation, culture, and exit opportunities. The prestige of top firms makes them appealing targets for ambitious finance professionals.
Salaries and Bonuses
Finance careers are known for having high salaries and lucrative bonuses. Compensation can vary significantly across different firms and roles. Here’s an overview of typical salary ranges:
Investment Banking
- Analysts – $70,000 to $90,000 base salary plus $50,000 to $150,000 bonus
- Associates – $100,000 to $150,000 base plus $100,000 to $300,000 bonus
- Vice Presidents – $150,000 to $250,000 base plus $250,000 to $500,000 bonus
Private Equity
- Analysts/Associates – $120,000 to $150,000 base plus $100,000 to $250,000 bonus
- Principals – $250,000 to $500,000 base plus $500,000 to $5 million bonus
Hedge Funds
- Analysts – $80,000 to $120,000 base plus $50,000 to $150,000 bonus
- Portfolio Managers – $200,000 to $2 million base plus 10-50% cut of performance fees
Asset Management
- Analysts – $60,000 to $90,000 base plus up to 20% bonus
- Portfolio Managers – $80,000 to $250,000 base plus up to 50% bonus
Bonuses are largely driven by individual and firm performance. Strong stock markets generally mean bigger bonuses. Bonuses at top firms like Goldman Sachs and Blackstone can reach millions for top performers. Compensation continues rising with seniority and track record.
Work/Life Balance
The finance industry is notorious for its long work hours and stressful work culture. Many finance professionals complain about a lack of work-life balance. At some of the top investment banks, 100+ hour work weeks are common. Analysts and associates in particular tend to work extremely long hours. They may stay in the office until midnight or later, and be expected to be responsive to emails and calls even in the wee hours of the morning.
The sacrifices required for career advancement in finance are significant. Taking vacation can be frowned upon, and professionals are expected to be available and working even when they are technically “out of office.” Personal lives and relationships often suffer due to the huge time commitment. Burnout is a real issue, with some leaving the field after just a few years because the lifestyle is unsustainable.
Of course, work-life balance varies across firms and specialties within finance. Some boutique firms may allow more flexibility than the major banks. Areas like private wealth management may offer better work-life balance than investment banking. And work hours tend to improve as professionals rise to senior roles. But overall, finance is an industry that demands long hours and single-minded focus from professionals, especially early in their careers. Achieving true balance between personal and professional life can be a struggle. The finance career path rewards grinding hard early on, sometimes at the expense of health, relationships, and outside interests.
Transitioning Out of Finance
Econjobrumors discussions often touch on when and how to transition out of finance careers. Many who have worked in banking, trading, or analysis roles contemplate their next steps after a few years in high-stress finance jobs.
Some look to pivot to more sustainable corporate finance roles or fintech startups where the hours may be better. An MBA is a common path to shift into general management, marketing, or operations roles in a variety of industries. Others may wish to exit finance altogether to pursue entrepreneurship, a passion project, or an entirely different career.
On Econjobrumors, current and former finance professionals debate the right timing and strategies for transitioning out. Some argue for staying at least 5-10 years to maximize earnings, network, and optionality. Others counter that leaving sooner preserves time and sanity. Most agree it’s ideal to transition when you have a clear vision for what’s next, rather than quitting finance just to escape.
There are also discussions around re-calibrating expectations and skills when moving from high-paying finance jobs to other roles. Some emphasize the need to build transferable skills in analysis, problem-solving, and communication before exiting. Overall, Econjobrumors provides a forum to discuss the pros, cons, and practical considerations around transitioning beyond finance careers. The diversity of perspectives helps those contemplating their next move beyond banking, trading, and financial analysis roles.
Gender Issues in Finance
The finance industry has long faced criticism for gender discrimination and bias. Women have struggled to break into the upper ranks of finance firms, facing challenges around hiring, promotion, pay equality, and overall workplace culture.
Many women in finance report experiencing subtle biases, such as not being taken as seriously by male colleagues or having their ideas discounted. There is often an “old boys club” mentality that makes it harder for women to advance and gain opportunities. Sexual harassment has also been a problem in finance, with some firms facing high-profile lawsuits.
On Econjobrumors, threads related to being a woman in finance highlight some of these issues. Many female users share stories of discrimination or microaggressions they have faced. There is debate around whether finance is a welcoming field for women and what needs to change. Some women feel discouraged from pursuing finance roles due to negative perceptions.
Experienced women in finance often try to provide advice to younger women entering the field. They emphasize the importance of finding mentors, pushing back against biases, speaking up when treated unfairly, and building strong networks with other women. Some caution women to expect challenges but encourage them to stay determined in reaching leadership roles.
There are signs of progress, with some top banks aiming to improve gender balance. But many argue that finance still has a long way to go in providing equal opportunities for women. Women looking to break into finance should enter with eyes open to the realities, while working to change the culture for the better. Persistence, courage, and solidarity with other women will help drive positive change.
Future of Finance Careers
The finance industry is undergoing rapid change, driven by new technologies, economic shifts, and changing workplace norms. Here are some predictions for the future of finance careers:
Hiring Trends
Increased demand for data scientists, quantitative analysts, and others with technical skills to support automation and AI. Programming, statistical analysis, and machine learning will be key.
Ongoing high demand for software engineers at fintech companies. Disrupting legacy finance with better tech and UX.
Declining demand for some traditional finance roles as tasks become automated. Jobs focused on manual data entry may decrease.
Hiring may shift more to contract, freelance and remote work rather than traditional full-time roles.
Impact of Technology
Automation, AI and machine learning will handle more routine finance tasks. This may displace some jobs but also create new roles.
Blockchain, crypto and decentralized finance could disrupt traditional banking and finance. New opportunities in Web3 finance.
Big data, cloud computing and analytics will change how analysis, modeling, risk management is done.
Cybersecurity will continue to be crucial. Data privacy and financial systems security are high priorities.
Remote Work
Acceptance of remote work for many finance roles could expand talent pools and geographic reach.
Fully remote fintech and crypto companies will attract talent not wanting to live in major finance hubs.
But some roles will remain onsite, especially client-facing and leadership jobs. Hybrid remote may become more common.
The finance jobs of the future will require adaptability to new technologies and ways of working. Specialized technical and analytical skills will be in high demand across the industry.
Conclusion
Econjobrumors finance discussions offer a unique insider’s perspective into the world of finance careers and jobs. Key takeaways include:
Salaries and bonuses can be quite high, especially in elite firms and roles like investment banking, private equity, and hedge funds. However, the hours and work demands are also extreme.
There is intense competition for the top roles and employers. Candidates need to prepare extensively for technical and fit interviews.
Work/life balance suffers in many finance jobs, especially early career. Expect frequent all-nighters and weekend work.
Transitioning out of finance into other careers can be difficult due to niche skillsets. Many aim to move into investment management, fintech, or entrepreneurship.
Gender inequality and discrimination remain issues, though progress has been made. Women need to prove themselves continually.
The future is uncertain given trends like automation, regulation, and shifting consumer/investor preferences. Adaptability will be critical.
The key is to go in eyes wide open, manage expectations, network extensively, and always keep learning and developing new skills. With grit and perseverance, a successful finance career is achievable.