| Topic Name: |
generalist vs. specialist |
| Message Name: |
industry coverage |
| Date Posted: |
04/25/2002 |
| Message: |
I'm joining a medium sized, growth-oriented mutual fund firm. Last summer I interned there and worked with an analyst who's basically a generalist covering companies in a wide range of industries across the economy, including leisure (gaming, hotels, cruise lines), home-building, consumer products, etc.
Now that I am joining the firm fulltime, I have to decide if I want to work with him again or switch to another area. I really like the guy I worked with a lot. He is a great guy to work for, and I know I would be happy under him.
On the other hand, I am really tempted to try to get a more specialized coverage assignment, eg. technology, or media, or perhaps financials. I think that in terms of my professional development it would be better to be a specialist, an expert in one area, rather than having less dept of knowledge across a wide range of industries. Would it not also be better in terms of my marketability to business schools or subsequent job opportunities down the road? The other thing is that I risk being put with someone I don't get along with as well.
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Is it common to switch coverage areas frequently? I would think it would be ideal to cover a particular industry for as long as possible, even one's whole career. Then again, it's got to be something you like a lot. In all honestly gaming stocks don't really move me very much.
Thanks for your input....
|
|
