I have the option of specializing in change Management or Capital Markets.I find them both interesting for different reasons but ultimately what would provide the better (or greater amount rather) of exit options?

Change Management is broader so would provide more future options - Capital Markets is a fairly narrow channel for an industry (compared to general financial services, retail, etc.)Change Management would also give you more options regardless of economic climate - change occurs both in the economic upswing (growth, M&A) and the downswing (efficiency programmes, downsizing). Capital markets consulting work is more reliant on the upswing.

Captial markets work is based in major cities (London/NY) so that might be a consideration. Also it could give you a route into a bank later in your career which could be lucrative. Compare this with doing change for the public sector, for example.On the otherhand change management has given me a great understand of wider business principles which would probably set me up for a role in management later on.

For amount of options, Change Management skills and experience are more flexible, and you can later specialise into Capital Markets, but it's always a tough call choosing between a functional consulting line and an industry line.

holiday-bound i think that's essentially the dilema i'm faced with. Time to stop being a generalist and get some deeper skills.Change exit options I imagine would be change on the client side, HR type stuff etc. and general management but could Capital Markets work lead on to a Front Office role in future or would I be resigned to 'IT'?

I think FO banking is unlikely unless you've worked as a quant consultant somewhere like MOW. Even generalist MBBB experience can be difficult to leverage w/o an MBA. Capital Markets IT is possible, particularly if you are a quant developer or worked on developing a bank's proprietary systems and have deep knowledge on them.

Thanks Henrie,I think given that my experience is non-mbbb, i may struggle to get in to FO (M&A is where i want to be) though i had considered applying for next years grad intake (at which time i'll only be 24). Change seems to be a growing area with some really strong boutiques out there too.