Best approach now for summer 2026?

Rising junior at a target ivy with a 3.9+ GPA STEM major. Earlier this year, I entirely missed the gun on IB SA 2026 recruiting. I was too indecisive about whether banking was the right next step for me, and with everyone at my school much more sure of themselves through the process, I chickened out. I felt like I was too late to networking, too technically unprepared etc. 

I thought that I'd have the consulting cycle as a backup, which interested me as an option more than my impression of banking. I'd assumed that I could feasibly exit out of consulting into a buy-side investment career, but I've realized this is rare, and even if I do make it to an investment deal team, I'd be less competent than the banking alum I'd join. I also feel uninterested by the other common consulting exits (corp growth, ops, strategy) and the up-or-out culture makes it seem like I'll be forced into one of these eventually. 

What would you do if you were in my shoes, and not willing to delay grad? I feel like a failure, like my indecisiveness on banking has closed the door to some of the best career exits I could've had. From chatting with some upperclassmen, it seems like some HF fundamental equity research roles will continue recruiting through the summer. I'm also aware of the regional boutiques that will continue opening up. Would these set me up better for my long-term interests than MBB/T2 consulting? Are those HF research roles more competitive than I'm letting on?