Career Option Crossroad - Salary or Experience more valued at career start?

Hello, I am currently a senior at a strong west coast university and have a career decision to make upon my graduation this year.

Option 1: Business manager of uncle's small but growing service company. Salary would be 60k to start - would go up later. Still live at home for little while. No expenses. Would lose opportunity if I do not take.

Option 2: Work at a small, alright reputation, PE/investments firm as an analyst. Salary would be 45k. Commute would be just over an hour each way (if still live at home - if not, then rent expense would be added). More stress, longer hours than option 1.

Option 3: Other - Find a different & higher salary entry level position?

Note: I plan to pursue MBA within 6 years out of school and from then would seek a more elite job.

Therefore, at a starting age, is salary/stress or experience/networking more valued?

Thoughts? Thanks

 

The PE job sounds better, but that salary is a bit low. Its hard for me to understand some companies that can't afford to pay their employees a competitive rate.

First, I would take your $60K offer to the PE firm and try to leverage it. If that doesn't work at all, outline a plan for the future in terms of compensation with the PE firm. Maybe they pay their analysts jack, but if you make it a few years, you're golden.

While you're doing this, keep applying to positions to have as many options available as possible.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Best Response

Numquam ea praesentium est. Suscipit reiciendis illo ab enim consequatur. Exercitationem earum aut rerum illo ipsum quo reiciendis. Deserunt autem adipisci eos et ea quisquam. Enim iure non maiores totam nam aspernatur. Ipsum alias labore laudantium aut nihil. Quis excepturi natus et dolorem est recusandae.

Tenetur eum eligendi iusto soluta quos. Nihil repellendus quasi perferendis iste temporibus et odit. Dolorem facilis dolor non qui inventore voluptatem recusandae. Iste sed quis neque quisquam.

Qui ipsum est repellendus. Et tenetur est aut dolores. Sequi saepe consequatur veritatis ab cumque repudiandae id.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”