Best place to start your career? IB or Tech?
I go to a west coast tech-focused university and I’m starting to wonder if IB is the right call. The best talent in my peer group are going into rotational programs or fintech companies. It seems like the main upside is a faster rate in compensation growth in finance. I don’t know too many people who are passionate about banking, most everyone I talk to honestly is looking for exit opportunities.
Saw this thread and it seems like even people with established finance careers wish they started in tech: www.teamblindcom/article/Turns-Out-Everyone-Here-…
To those of you with a lot of drive, what is motivating you to go into IB vs. tech?
IB for $$$$$ and work-work balance.
Tech for $$$ and work-life balance.
Your link is broken though. There should be a dot between teamblind and com.
Allow me to present my perspective. Let's do something wild and set aside compensation. In your 20's the difference between these two paths from that perspective won't be super meaningful and they both will be a grindy path, so let's set that entire decade aside and say it's a wash. If I may be so bold, you also have no clue right now as to how important compensation is. Tastes and lifestyles change over time, and whether you have a family (and how big) and where you live will also impact this. So right now set aside compensation and focus on what actually will motivate you over the next 40 years of your career.
It might help for you to work backwards from the end. If you envision senior-level positions (when you will be 40-60 years old), what kind of work do you enjoy and see yourself doing? What type and level of interaction with people do you want? Have you read about or watched a video of senior people in both tech and finance paths to see which one you would like to develop toward?
Then your 30's will basically be a bridge from your 20's to your 40's, from an Analyst position to an MD position or a junior SW developer to potentially VP level positions. Some people use their 30's to transition careers via lateraling or business school. Don't worry so much about this right now because it will come naturally based on your long term goals.
Sincerely, mid-30's west coast banker.