Corp Dev to Equity Research or PM?

Hey guys I'm new here but looking for a bit of advice:

I graduated in May from a non-target school and I've been trying to get an analyst role of any sort working in investment research. I took the Level 1 CFA® in June and passed that, which I feel has earned me a few interviews. I have made it to the final stage but nothing has stuck because the roles weren't research oriented and they said they felt I'd just leave after 2 years.

The other problem is I'm in the Midwest and obviously there isn't much in research out here. I recently played golf with the VP of a publicly traded utility company out here and he practically offered me in a job in their corporate development division where he said I'd be helping with M&A opportunities doing valuations. Do you think this is a good place to start my career? What would my exit ops be? I'm planning on continuing CFA® in hopes that it could seamlessly transfer over into research to continue towards my end goal of being a PM someday. What are your thoughts?

3 Comments
 

2-3 years in Corp Dev in utilities + CFA -> ER utilities coverage group would be VERY feasible and I think it would be better for your career in general. You would have excellent industry experience which would provide you with great insight on the ins and outs of the sector and TONS of industry contacts... then you will have all the tools to market yourself to top ER shops.

 

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