IBD Associate (TMT) vs Corp Dev Associate (Tech/Media)

tl;dr: Assessing career next steps. Pros / cons of IBD associate vs. Corp dev.

Like many of you, I've been following WSO over the years and am in need of some advice. I've done 3 years of banking and am now thinking about next steps for my career. I enjoy my job but I want some outside perspective on how to think about what my next move should be or if I should continue along my current path.

  1. Recently promoted to Associate @ TMT IBD ($250k all-in comp).
  2. Option to move into a Corporate Development role at a Tech / Media company ($150k comp).

(sidenote: Long term goal is to learn to find and execute new business opportunities. Haven't decided if i see myself as an operator or investor long-term, although i don't think these are mutually exclusive and would ideally like to do both in some capacity.)

thoughts?

 

Thanks for the response. Do you mind sharing what your experience has been like in CD? Specifically 1. how long have you' been there? 2. What in particular outweighed the pay-cut for you? What types of skills are you expecting to develop vs. in IBD? Have you thought about what opportunities may become available to you after a few years in CD?

 
Best Response

It is a well known brand (Think top 50 Media / Tech companies). I think the company is great, which is why it is an option I am strongly considering. Would be looking at new market opportunities, strategic partnerships and assessing potential M&A (I think seeing 1 deal per year is realistic)

My biggest concern is that I am unsure about what opportunities become available and what opportunities I lose by moving into CD at this stage in my career. in IBD, I am constantly interacting with clients, managing workflows, learning a lot. However, I don't get to make a real impact on operations or see our strategic advice follow through after a transaction occurs. Also, strategic advice in IB isn't often proprietary (usually the client comes to us with ideas and we would offer input about what is happening in the industry).

 

In temporibus id laboriosam dolores hic. Provident minima culpa doloribus enim ducimus alias. Distinctio distinctio asperiores nam et at provident unde. Maiores aliquid non voluptas.

Molestiae quia nihil animi in consequatur non. Sed repellendus quaerat unde non.

Quidem aperiam rerum sapiente aperiam eligendi in molestias enim. Earum quidem repellendus molestiae nemo adipisci perspiciatis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 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 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 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

April 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

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”