Startup vs. Banking
Trying to make a decision between investment banking in NYC or joining well funded small tech startup as a CTO. For going to bschool, which is better if the startup is successful? not successful? I think startup up would stick out more in an application pool since there are hundreds of banking resumes, but would it be better to get in. I'm guessing startup would be better to go into VC. Looking at it, the startup would probably be more fun as I would have a better work/life balance for sure, but I want to make the right career move too.
Hey, I'm a junior majoring in accounting from a semi-target and was thinking about doing a startup after college too.
@rocknrolla Have you thought of doing the startup then going into banking it it fails then going to b-school. I'm not sure if this is a viable option (going into banking after 3-4 years out of school).
That's the thing... You HAVE to get into bschool if you go startup route if you want to end up in finance. Analyst programs are usually reserved for people fresh out of college. You can't even interview for most 2 year programs if you aren't in school (that's direct from HR at MS). You are available for lateral hiring, but you will be pretty removed from the industry.
So would the safer route be to do a 2 year stint then the startup?
If you're asking about bschool placement you should really go IB route, hands down. CTO at a startup is the higher risk higher reward scenario, but banking is a MUCH safer route to bschool.
Why are you even thinking about how it looks for bschool in the scenario that the startup is successful? If it is successful you'll make a good chunk of money (few million to rich depending on level of success) and if it's not you'll have good experience for the next startup experience. And your work-life balance will not necessarily be better as a co-founder / CTO of a startup, in fact it likely won't be.
My take: if this is the thought process you're going through then startup probably isn't for you at this stage in your life. Doesn't mean you can't do it later after you've gotten some more experience on your resume so you have some options.
if the startup is WELL funded as you say, then you should probably take this shot. If it has VC backing, then even better.
Its not a purely bschool decision, I was wondering would I still be in the running going forward (even if the startup doesn't produce what we think it could). I love VC though, and it seems that they like people with experience, which absolutely makes sense.
Thanks for the input though. Definitely is helpful.
same boat here...........VC has funded this tech company real well, top VC shop (all HBS/Wharton)............
Also, i'd be in a Corp Dev/Finance role............
Discuss?
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