Public Settlements or Data Ops

I recently started my first job in operations at a buy-side investment management company. I was initially hired for a role in a project that would be integrating all the asset classes into one accounting system. I would start with exposure to derivatives and go from there. The role is very data-oriented and might include some SQL. It is also a multi-year project, so although exposure to all the different asset classes would be beneficial, it would take anywhere from 3-5 years.

In the meantime, I've been working with the public settlements team within trade operations. I have exposure to corporate bonds, treasuries, ABS/MBS, repos, etc. and have interactions with the traders, although I have not met any yet. This role seems more finance-oriented, which is what I studied, and more middle office. The project team on the other hand, is very data oriented and back office with no real interaction with the front office.

For context, my long term goal is to get to the front office, at this time I think specifically portfolio management. I plan on starting to study for CFA Level 1 within the next month or two, and networking with as many people as I can. Which do you guys think is a better fit for me considering my goal?