Hi I am a junior at University and was just wanting to get the opinions of people who work in finance about the level of job security, 'ladder climb' and degree of autonomy within respective fields. I was wondering if anyone could give me their most reasonable/realistic outlook on how job security ranks in these fields from entry level to higher level positions, and how autonomous a job can be at higher positions.
All of these don't have to be answered just as much as people know/care to share.
Investment Banking
Private Equity
Hedge Funds
Asset Management
Venture Capital
corporate finance
Sales & Trading
Consulting
Equity Research
Private Wealth Management
Financial Advising
Commercial banking
Accounting
1) How does job security rank for each of these 'fields' at the lower levels, middle levels, and upper levels? Will a BB analyst in a product group always be on his toes fearing he can get fired if he under performs one day? Is the IBD analyst 'safer' than S&T analyst?
2) How autonomous can the 'fields' be once someone climbs the ladder.
3) Which 'fields' are the most hierarchical and least meritocratic and which are the most meritocratic. Example, if someone sticks in IB for 20 years is it a given that they will move up and become a SVP? If moving from analyst to associate is all about number of years at the firm (or coming in with prior experience or MBA) then is moving from associate to VP the same?