<p>Many support functions are easier to get into and still pay better than most other jobs. One that comes to mind is risk management, if you are a good quant person. It has become increasingly more important to every financial instituion. Another area of interest is work out for non-performing assets.</p>
<p>I have done structuring, but ultimately ended up in IT (never taken a programming class). Senior IT managers could do very well, especially in the front office area. There is a lot of pressure (wrong calculation, or system fail could potentially cost firm a lot of money), but the pressure is more constant and less. They don’t make millions like S&T, but most of us could very comfortably live around NYC area, and send our kids to any private colleges. We don’t get burned out as much, and if this doesn’t work out our skills are transferable to any industry (what do we care if we were transporting securities or dog food?). I’ve had many younger developers move from programming to trading. I think it is attention to detail, and able to pull the trigger when necessary.</p>