Advice on career progression

Hi all,

So I got into a well known MM technically in the corp fin division. However my role is more quasi-front office (I am helping the revenue generating activities of the bank but I don't do much/any modelling/financial analysis work - only minor amounts or analysis and due diligence)

My exposure to the FO is significant though, day-to-day I interact with VP+ FO bankers and I do interact with clients.

So far I'm really enjoying the work and the hours are much better than IBD but after seeing the guys in clear-cut FO roles I want to get in (I like the responsibility & prestige they have + the money is way better). 

The thing is there's a few guys from my division who have broken in, usually after 2 years they seem to move up but this isn't universal. Some of the guys in my group have very impressive degrees but haven't moved into FO positions although I suspect that's to do with the desire and age.

The guys who moved up went to literally the best universities (universally acclaimed and ranked) and I'm not sure if that means it's a reserved climb for certain people. In all fairness, the analyst who interviewed me asked if I was interested in a FO division in my final round but I suspect this might have possibly been just a general question. Maybe testing my desire for this role and not just wanting to get into the bank.

I however, always wanted to break into a bank but went to a non-target and didn't do a particularly rigorous degree either. My first job out of uni was kinda crap but I was able to upsell it and at a macro level so you'd think it was interesting (it was sales it was not) 

I don't have a wealth of internships or impressive rewards etc relatively normal and just did well in the interviews / assessments and I think they liked me.

So can someone give me advice on a few things:

1. Should I try and wait out in this role and hope to climb like the other guys who jumped? My bank does provide training through an acclaimed organisation which is to do with actual financial analysis (not ACCA but you can guess the sort of thing) so I'm guessing that might be related to moving into a more technical position? 2 of the senior analysts are going through the training now. 

2. How should I go about getting a clear-cut FO role? I know I need to research the division & role more clearly when I actually have an idea which group I'd want to move into, but what is the best way of doing this internally? 

3. Should I set up something on the side and then apply to boutiques? E.g. Do something to make my CV more appealing and show more interest in FO roles. I like the idea of working for a boutique as my first job was at a small/boutique shop just in a different industry but the responsibility/experience you get is really good it was critical to my CV/interviews.

4. Undertake more education? Fin analysis stuff e.g. part-time MSc, CFA (would rather not do these as I don't think they'll really make me more appealing for FO roles but possibly show my commitment) 

Don't get me wrong I know my position is weak and I'm sure some of you will say "don't bother....ridiculous.... Non-target = nowhere" but I got in, unlike a lot of the people on this forum.

Please note I don't know which role I want at the moment, yes this will need to be figured out before I even attempt this endeavour, the advice I'm looking for is for the post "once I know which division/role I want" type of thing

Thanks