Felling stuck at my current internship, what should I do?

Fellow monkeys,

It’s been a while since the last time that I posted on WSO. Thought that I’d register a new account to get some ideas about how I should approach this whole situation.

Background:
- International student, native level English speaker
- Undergrad: Non-target hard major (think engineering, math, chem, biology); 3.5+ GPA
- Masters: Semi-target MS in business major; 3.5+ GPA
- Current experience: summer analyst (doing stuff on client management side) at an elite AM firm
- Past experience: equity research (school fund) and boutique management consulting intern

As the summer is coming to an end, I believe there is a good chance that I will receive an offer (I’m not ruling out the surprise factors because of politics). Now would be a good time for me to reflect and think about what my next step should be.

My current role is extremely boring with not much to learn and limited exit opps. I work mostly with people outside of my group, and the VP level people I work with, as well as my interviewers, are very impressed with my work, and volunteered to be my advocate to talk to the MD who’s overseeing the entire division to get me to another group. These nice folks have also been trying to get me in touch with some high-up people at the firm.

My boss, on the other hand, needs a good analyst who can do the dirty work, and has been feeding me the kool aid about how I should pay me dues and then move on to other roles. (he can tell that I am very ambitious)

Given my experience and age, I don’t think paying my dues for another 1-2 years is the optimal strategy, as I have already spent so much time on trying to break into the industry from a non-target without much help from family and friends. I don’t mind doing the dirty work, but I really want to be in a role where I can grow and learn.

It's already hard enough for an international who's come a long way to secure a position in the states. I don't know how many opportunities there will be in the Fall 17 cycle. So far I have been applying to mgmt consulting roles, buy side research and product roles, sell side research and banking roles.

What do you think that I should do?
1) Suck it up, get the offer, and take it
2) Get the offer first, then negotiate with the firm to interview for another role
3) Look elsewhere

Thank you!