Breaking Back into IB (?) ... or something else

Last summer I interned at an elite boutique investment bank in New York (remotely due to COVID-19) but did not get a return offer since my group did not take on any new hires. 

I'm a senior in college now. I study engineering at a high-ranking target university and have a good GPA. I spent the semester doing full-time recruiting and was able to land an analyst role in Investments at a top traditional asset management firm in the northeast. 

I am very excited about what the role can bring: the culture of the company I am going to is nice by all metrics, the work is both interesting and fits my background. That said, there are drawbacks, mostly concerning location (won't be in New York) and ability to progress in the company (most top employees are "lifers" who have been there 30+ years; promotions usually are slow). 

I admittedly am somewhat confused about what my next career steps should be. The role I have is great but I almost want to try to break back into banking, since I had previously strongly wanted to follow the usual IB -> PE pathway. I also pretty desperately want to leave my current location.

TLDR: IB -> (no return offer) -> AM (+ and - to role) -> what do? what's next?

Here are some questions:
1. Is it worth even trying to break back into IB from AM? 
    1a. If so, will it be really hard in my current circumstances?
2. Are there other roles I should consider (HF, S&T, ER, PE, Tech) directly from this role that would make more sense? 
    (I'm open to almost any response to this question.)
    2a. What course of action would be best for business school recruitment / getting into HWS business schools?
3. Although the company does not have a prominent NY office, does it make sense to try and stay anyway?

Appreciate you reading this since it is a detailed post!