Consultant side vs Client side?

Water Cooler Careers
#1

Has anyone worked on both sides of the investment industry? I’m currently working at a investment consulting firm for retirement plans.

I like the consultant side… my job entitles meeting fund managers, doing asset allocation studies/research, working on guidlines, and some performance, some admin/babysitting type work making sure wires go through and other people signing paperwork.

I work in a 3 person team as an analyst and it’s nice that my inputs and thoughts matter.

Anyone work for an actual plan? I have heard it’s usually 1 analyst and 1 asset class director. Anyone shed some light on what they do? career progression? compensation?

#2

I would be curious as to peoples thoughts on this as well.

I also currently work for an institutional consulting firm (also a small shop, 10 employees) and while I enjoy having the opportunity to meet with many different clients and work on multiple portfolios I’ve often wondered what it would be like working for a large pension plan or endowment/foundation.

Can anyone shed some light on the pros and cons? How does compensation compare? etc.

#3

Check the thread about working in endowments started a few days ago.

I would paste the link but for some reason we can’t paste anything yet.