FT Offer Decision - Help Please!

Hey people,

long time lurker here, created this account for advice.

I'm an international student graduating next spring at a west coast regional target. Fortunate enough to receive two offers but need help with the decision. Both offers are in APAC.

Offer 1: MBB - AC/A

Pros: Well-designed training, global network, wide exposure in terms of functions & industries, Travel (if possible, coming straight out of undergrad so still acceptable)

Cons: Can't see impact, might be staffed on "bad" projects, pay, hours 60-80/week

Offer 2: $8B USD Growth Equity - Portfolio Ops Analyst (I have been interning there for 4 months now)

Pros: Highly flexible in terms of learning  (worked on various projects for their portfolio comps), C-suite exposure - reporting directly to multiple 1B+ valuation company C-suite officer/ fund partners, team is extremely lean and top heavy, our partners directly control the portfolio comps as C-suite officers, Pay - starting offer is 20% higher than MBB with up to 50% performance bonus. Potential equity options as career progress, Hours ~60/week so pretty chill in general

Cons: No peers, less structured training program, limited industries compared to MBB (TMT, Healthcare, Real Estate, New Media)

Personal concerns: 

My long term goal is C-suite at unicorn or entrepreneurship, but don't have a specific industry preference yet. Had been working towards the MBB trophy for a long time, but never wanted to stay in consulting long term. MBA is a potential consideration. Currently operating an e-commerce business with friends, would prefer to keep working on it with 5-10HR commitment per week. Thank you!

TLDR: MBB vs Growth Equity Ops straight out of undergrad, which one should I choose?

7 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Hey OP,

First off, congrats on both offers! Just a quick tip tho, it would be better if you mentioned MBB instead of the actual firm for your privacy. If I were you, I would choose MBB especially given that your long term goal is C-suite at a unicorn/entrepreneurship. Not trying to discount your growth equity offer, but MBB gives you more exposure to all aspects of running a business which would be more applicable in senior management.

Nevertheless, I think you’re in a very good position given the current job market and have a bright future regardless of your decision. Congrats again, and good luck!!

 

Congrats on your offers, tough decision for sure!

MBB is definitely incredible for your resume, and is likely much more known than the growth equity firm (very few people know PE/GE names outside of those in the industry). That being said, it seems like you're really enjoying your internship and are getting opportunities to work directly with senior executives. You get exposure to a number of different industries and functions at MBB, but there is still a clear hierarchy within MBB and it is very rare to have any meaningful direct interaction with a company's C-Suite. While I was still at MBB, I probably would've told you to choose MBB. Now that I'm in PE, I would probably lean Portfolio Ops.

Choose the opportunity where you think you'll learn the most and enjoy your job the most. That's the most important at this stage in your career.

 

Given that you want to pursue an MBA, I would discount the Growth Equity compensation by the cost of an MBA down the road given that MBB would likely sponsor your MBA contingent on getting into a good program. MBB would give you more credibility and a wider network, but it sounds like you enjoy growth equity more. I would pick the one you enjoy more because at the end of the day you should be happy. And being happy in your job will likely lead to better performance, faster promotions, and stronger opportunities down the line.

How did you find the growth equity internship initially? I'm incoming MBB and am interested in some part-time internships but I want to be more engaged in the operating side.

 

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