Gonna take a credit rating analyst role at a big3 rating agency

Based on the Credit Analyst Q&A on Wall Street Oasis, it's definitely possible to transition from a credit analyst role to a traditional Investment Banking (IB) role. In fact, over half of the typical credit analyst class tends to move over to a coverage or product role, such as leveraged finance, by the end of their second year.

The most common path is moving into a coverage role within the group you covered after two years, starting as a second-year analyst. It's crucial to build strong relationships with the bankers you support while you are in credit, so when a spot opens up, you'll be the first candidate on their mind.

After lateraling into a coverage/product role, the next most common exit is moving into a senior financial analyst role with a company you covered while at the bank. Given the strong access to management, you'll build a strong relationship with the Treasurer/CFO at these companies.

However, it's important to note that while this path is common, it's not guaranteed and may depend on various factors such as your performance, networking skills, and the specific opportunities available at your firm.

Sources: Credit Analyst Q&A, Q&A: Ex-Senior Credit Risk Analyst at Barclays Investment Bank and grad student at Cornell University