in a top IB, which group has better potential / anything for a fresh associate?

Since nobody more qualified responded yet, I'll give you my uninformed opinion: credit.If you're a quant, there's more chance to apply your special skills. And there's more related opportunities to move into something like corporate finance, credit is more of a hub to move into the next hot thing.

Hi farmer, thanks for your reply. I heard credit is newer and hotter, but what does that mean? is it necessarily a good thing for my career? and i would really appreciate a little bit elaboration of the career path after credit, like why it can lead to coporate finance, and the future after commodities for that matter.thanks ~~

depends on the firm and the type of job. Commodities will likely replace credit as the hot thing by the end of the decade on the trading side, while prospects on pure quant stuff will likely remain higher on credit.

QuoteOriginally posted by: TomfrCommodities will likely replace credit as the hot thing by the end of the decade on the trading sideI disagree. But perhaps you can teach me how to make a prediction like this, since I'm pretty shaky on it.

credit is just paper you create at will (plus a couple of big CDOs are likely gonna burst, with blood everywhere...), while 50% of commodities like iron or coal are currently bought by either China or the US. Have a look at steel, oil... prices also. To me, the guys who will be able to be long commodities cheaply are going to make fortunes. That's just an impression, of course, and on the long run...

hmmm there is still tons of money to be made in credit, but i have a feeling its past its days of glory.i'd love to know what the next big boom market will be but somehow i dont think it will be commodities for a while....

QuoteOriginally posted by: Tomfrcredit is just paper you create at willCan I create some of that paper at will?Credit is a coalescing map, revealing evolved expectations for the entire future topology of global commerce. You know that game "minesweeper" where you put markers where mines are hidden? Currency-denominated liabilities are like visible markers which hover near invisible expectations QuoteOriginally posted by: Tomfr50% of commodities like iron or coal are currently bought by either China or the US. Have a look at steel, oil... prices also. To me, the guys who will be able to be long commodities cheaply are going to make fortunes.So how is some quant or trader going to make any more money off of that than off of currency, for example? If anything is surprising, it is how little money the big CTA's have been making during this huge commodities runup. Do commodites participants really need that much intermediation?