Advice seeking on recent two job offers, thank you!

Hi folks I'm writing for your advice that would help me make crucial decisions on my recent two job offers. Thank you in advance for the patience in viewing my note.

To start with, I'm a Chinese, and after I finish my master degree in Finance from SMG of Boston University, I went back to China last October for full-time positions. However, for family reasons I'll be back to the States in 1.5 year or so. Hence, my current job decision closely relate to optimizing my chance of securing a decent job in the financial industry when back to the States in the future.

Now the two offers I got are (1) financial valuation analyst position of American Appraisal, doing valuations for pre-IPO and M&A deals for the TMT industry (2) assistant investment analyst position for a private equity firm specializing in energy deals, with fair governmental network, cap. of around 20b. USD.

I think still to this moment that accepting the former valuation analyst position might be a safer choice, as though AA is not prestigious enough, it still has some reputation in the States. Yet some people around me "warned" that by choosing as a valuation analyst, I will thus seriously limit my career choice in the long run --- even more limited than an auditor in Big four , as someone says. Is it really so? What is the typical career path for a financial valuation analyst in the States? Also, by dealing with pre-IPO and M&A valuation, is there any chance for opportunities in the investment banking later?

Meanwhile, weighing the opportunity cost in the private equity firm is also difficult. In the first hand, starting as a private equity assistant analyst may develop more all-around experience: with financial statements, internal control, legal issues...so that it may promise better personal growth. Yet the drawback is, the private equity firm cuts a very low profile even in China(mostly due to its connection with the government), so that the "brand dividend" effect is quite slim when I seek employment in the States in the future, when Americans will be hesitate in pinning down my "worth". Still, I'm wondering working in a private equity firm for 1.5 year or so is just too short to constitute any "solid" experience, considering the typical length to clinch a deal -- from deal scouting to final exit.

What are your opinions upon my situation? Any advice is highly welcomed. Thank you!!. :)