Optimizing the HF Career Path

I recently read an old interview transcript with Lee Ainslie from Maverick. One thing he said struck me: he said he took an enormous risk jumping ship so early in his career to start a fund. He said he wishes he would have learned more as an analyst to make completely sure he could kill it as a manager--you only get one shot.

As I consider my own career, I wonder if the same applies to joining a HF as a junior employee. At most funds, you get 1-2 years of grace period before you start getting judged on P&L. I've always thought banking for 6 months and then straight to HF was the ideal to get more touches actually investing, but now I wonder if it's smarter to learn as much as possible before stepping foot at a HF to be prepared as possible. So maybe do a full 2-3 years in banking then a few more years in PE.

I know there's lots of sharp experienced guys on here, any insights or sage advice?