u/rishabh_2909

I’m currently an SDE-2 at a Fintech company and recently received an offer from Morgan Stanley for a Strat Senior Associate role within their Fixed Income Division.

The offer includes a 30% hike on my current base salary. While the work seems very interesting and closer to the business side, I’m a bit hesitant about the long-term career path compared to a traditional Big Tech SDE route.

I’d love some insight on:

1. Career Trajectory: How does the "Strat" path evolve? Does it eventually pigeonhole you into Finance, or can you move back to General SDE/Product roles later?

2. Pay Growth: How does the compensation scale at the VP and ED levels? I know banks are bonus-heavy; what’s a realistic TC expectation compared to Senior SDE roles at Tier-1 tech firms?

3. Exit Opps: Aside from other investment banks (GS/JPM), what are the common exit opportunities? Do Strats often move to Quant Hedge Funds?

4. Work Culture: Any feedback on the MS Fixed Income desk culture specifically?

Currently I am working as a Software Development Engineer -2 at Fintech company

I got an offer from Morgan Stanely as a Strat Senior Associate in their Fixed Income Division

They are offering me exactly 30% hike on my current base salary

I am interested in the work but confused what career trajectory will be like in this new role

Want help

Could anyone please suggest how pay-scale grows in this role and what are other companies which offers this ?

I gave all the three rounds of interview for swe-III position at jpmc

Round 3 was behavioural with ED and it went really well, the ED even asked in current compensation.

ED said that HR will reach out to me next week

It’s been 3 weeks i gave the interview, there is no response from HR even on follow up email

Called HR 2-3 times after that, she picked on last one, she remembered me and said that she will get back to me by Monday

Is it a good sign ?

What should I do now ? Should I wait ?

How long can I expect to get the response ???

Please help if anyone faced the same !!