Are HFs the Best Way to Increase Career Risk / Reward After IB?

IB analyst wrapping up first full year here. As I think about exit opps, I keep hearing that staying in banking is the safe route (A2A lets you do almost the same job for higher pay, but with added responsibilities, but keeps optionality high), and PE at a well-branded shop is good way to keep optionality among buyside and investing roles. My bank has very few HF exits, but I've heard its a "riskier" exit opp.

Are there people who did IB --> HF that looked into other ways of increasing your career risk / reward, or is HF the best way to do so? I know that I've only been working for a year, but I have heard only VPs and up get to take home a portion of their deal fees, and if I stay for A2A, having to wait 4-5 more years to start getting a portion of deal fees just seems so far away. Are there other roles where your compensation can be more closely tied to your performance earlier in your career?