Jump CorpDev to IB ASAP? Or stay for education/favorable position

Background: Economics Major, Target School (Ivy), and a solid GPA.

Have an earlier thread of when I just got into CD:

https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/broke-into…

About 9 months ago landed first job out of undergrad a Corporate Development gig at a F500 company working as an M&A Analyst (CPG). It's not in a great area, but Tier 1 cities no more than a few hours away and the company is doing well.

Have gotten DD/deal experience, networked through a few IBs, and learned the space well. I told myself now would be the time to network my way into an IB job as I have always wanted to check that box in a good location in the US. Realistically I think can make the jump if I want to if I make a real effort, but do I give up the small-group M&A exposure to be a cog in an IB machine/obviously have a less than favorable work/life balance? I realize that the next 6-12 months is the short window to get into IB in my position unless I do the MBA/Associate route.

Hard to explain entire situation here but have a boss who is a genuine mentor that pushes me to better myself in the industry, always offering his connects to meet with me and have the company pay for training courses. He thinks IBD is not at all what it used to be like when he was at BB IBD sell-side M&A until he was VP level then went to corporate finance/M&A life.

Boss has floated the idea of trying to get me to stay by offering to pay for continuing education, but an MBA is too time consuming right now and takes multiple years aka multiple years at this job and might even require more time with the company on top of that or clawback...

If I move forward will likely set up meetings with the network I have in NYC to get more opinions on the idea.

Do i make the leap now and throw caution to the wind / give up what I have now? Are there better opportunities to lateral to than IB? Thanks.