Advice: Buyside Direct or Sell Side first

Hi,

So I have been recruiting for Summer 2025, and have done final interviews with Evercore (IB - ECM division), and will be doing final rounds with Jefferies S&T. I am also in process of D.E. Shaw for its Strategy Business Development position and also going for its fellowship in NY week after next. If anyone has advice on maximizing this opportunity, I would appreciate it. I had applied for everything for summer 2025 and have been interviewing from everything from Early Stage/Growth Equity VC (Thrive Capital-denied after last round) to Private Equity (KKR) as well as Hedge Funds (D.E. Shaw, Citadel, Point72-denied after first round). I am not sure where I want to go into but I am also not sure if IB would be beneficial for me. I have a background in VC with angel investment groups and later-stage investing with a pre-ipo stock liquidity debt product fund. I am joining Goldman's SLC office in S&T for summer 2024 - it was the best offer I got for Summer 2024 so I accepted it. I am confused on where to channel my focus right now and want to engage in something that will allow me to build the best foundation for my career. Short term I want to be in finance on the investment or strategy side, long term in renewable energy/battery recycling/waste management business or entrepreneurship.