The Contacts Game

I am currently in bit of a dilemma with regards to which direction I should go. I am currently in my final year of college in Asia.

On one side is this desire to get into IB and then you know the flow. I have had an internship with a MM PE firm and currently interning with a boutique M&A firm. I decided pretty early on that IB is what I wanna do.

However on the other side, I could get into consulting/corporate development & strategy etc. Perhaps even marketing. Who knows?

All I know is that I want a job which gives me a chance to meet as many people as I can,help them build their business,see them grow, learn from them and use it in my own life. Travel will be a huge plus. And also make genuine contacts and not the superficial ones.

What my question does IB offer that opportunity (at least post VP level) or will I be in front of a screen making models 24*7 and sucking up to potential clients all my life? Is there a sense of responsibility and even attachment towards the companies that bankers/consultants advise?

Thanks in advance.