After I graduated from university, I worked for a boutique market research firm for a year. I am now thinking of switching to an industry that is more professional and more promising.
I have two industries in mind: management consulting and equity research. I am interested in management consulting but it seems there are not many openings in Hong Kong for degree holders. Although equity research is still difficult, it may be the more realistic option given my degree in finance.
Which is more difficult to land a junior position in and what are the career prospects? Equity research seems broader as it could be a gateway to banking. What skills do I need to acquire to be more competitive and considered a competent candidate? K
Career decisions require deliberate thinking and full consideration. Before thinking about your next career move between management consulting and equity research, it is essential to spend time reflecting on your one-year full-time working experience first. What do you like and dislike about your current job? What transferable skills have you developed that can help you move on to the next role?
This revision exercise will help you to gain a better understanding of your career interests, capabilities, work preferences and the right company cultural fit. Such insight is the foundation for you to make informed and realistic choices among different career options or directions.
Working in management consulting and equity research requires different sets of skills. Management consulting is about offering companies advisory services to improve business or organisational performance. You have to be someone who enjoys frequent client interaction and networking to build contacts and relationships.
To work in equity research, you need to enjoy financial modelling, be interested in the minute details of various companies’ operations, and have good analytical writing skills.
Understanding your own career aspiration and abilities is an investment that will pay off for many years to come.
Rebecca Cheung, managing director for Greater China of the cut-e Group, is an expert in assessment and psychometric testing for talent selection, leadership development, succession planning and career guidance
