New Grad and Job Offers... Can someone help me decide??
Hi, I just graduated from a pretty good masters in finance program and I have a few job offers that I would like to get some input on. My previous experience has only been as an intern but this would be my first real job and would appreciate any advice.
First Offer
Company: Federal Reserve
Role: Economist
Reports to: Sr. Economist who reports to Principal Economist
Type of work: international economics department, so would deal with things like forecasting, econometrics, briefings and supporting the Sr.Economist for whatever studies he is conducting
Pay: Okay
Hours: Good
Second Offer
Company: fortune 500 company, oil and gas --- think Shell
Role: Strategy Advisor
Reports to: VP - Carbon Policy & Technologies who reports to Executive VP
Type of work: identification development and evaluation of opportunities and technologies to reduce emissions from oil&gas investments, long-term strategy related to this, economic analysis and business development of strategies taken
Pay:Good
Hours: Good
Third Offer
Company: a big and well known consulting firm
Role: Management Consultant
Reports to: Associate who reports to Manager
Type of work: consultant stuff, lots of travel, client meetings, analysis for whatever project I would be working on
Pay: Good
Hours: Not Good
Which one is the best option for an ambitious young professional? Can someone give me what they think the pros/cons are? What would be the best for a fast career progression? Also, for the second offer, what type of role is that considered...corporate development or corporate strategy or none?
Thanks





Rank: 1. Third offer 2.
Rank:
1. Third offer
2. Second offer
3. First offer
My reason being that if you don't like management consultant, you can always get the Second offer but not the other way around.
I think it depends on where
I think it depends on where you'd like to take your career.
Working at the Oil & Gas firm gives you a very good opportunity to transition into banking later if you decide to do a MBA, and even if you don't you can move into analyst positions and equity research roles centered around the energy industry. Those all pay very well.
The consulting role is good but mainly if you'd like to actually do consulting. It may also offer better exit opportunities. The first offer I don't think you should consider much (though I am familiar with the "good hours" at the Fed - it's insanely good).
I rank it:
- Second offer, if you want is money
- Third offer if you want to do consulting / want more broad exit opportunities
- First offer