Breaking in as an Analyst doesn't mean s*** unless u exit to PE

And even then, you can make the move to PE as an associate or VP. You just won't have as standardized of a process for recruiting.

What's new another IB analyst/asso saying you might as well kill yourself if you dont land a PE offer. Having an IB analyst experience is about the best thing you can have on your resume out of college. Even if you don't go into PE there's a plethora of opportunities that you're positioned well for even if it's not PE. It is most definitely worth it, you guys just need to get over yourselves that there's other things in life besides landing a PE offer lmao.

I see what you mean, but would like to offer a different perspective. I personally feel starting as an Analyst has the following benefits: 

1) Starting your career on the right foot. Even if you leave IB for FP&A after 2 years, you will always be perceived as hard worker and a top performer. Contrary to what many users on this site believe, even starting at a LMM bank most people have never heard of still means you were a top ~5% performer in finance and are hardworking, prepared, and capable. This can never be taken away from you and will indicate to anyone who reviews your resume that you are smart, serious, and determined. 

2) Raw Skill Set: IB as an Analyst requires a lot of creativity, decisiveness, and critical thinking. I dont care how many interns or Y1 Analysts say that the job is mostly aligning logos, that simply isnt true. Top performing Analysts are often driving models, data breakouts, and thinking about how to develop slides. Downplay this all you want, this is far more responsibility and autonomy than 99% of folks have their first two years out of school.

3) Future Opportunities: I will keep it brief as this point is beaten to death, but starting in IB opens many doors that remain closed to most of the finance community, including PE, HF, Strat Finance, Corp Dev, AM, REPE, and other niche but highly sought after finance roles. Do not discount optionality early in your career, most people would kill for it.  

4) Value by Staying in Banking: Do not discount the value of having 2 years of solid reps in the industry. Sure, MBA Associates may break in, but you know 100x what they do from your first day as an Associate. Potentially as valuable as the knowledge base, you have the relationships with senior bankers, and know who you do and dont want to work with. This knowledge base has the ability to make your Associate years far better and much easier than an MBA Associate. My friends that went A to A are confident, comfortable, and have a lot of sweat equity. When they make a mistake they are not an idiot, they just arent perfect. When an MBA Associate makes a mistake right out of the gate, that can impact their career for months or even years, as first impressions are hard to overcome. 

The difference between being an A2A and a post MBA associate is huge. I was an A2A and a VP by the time I was 28, a D ar 31 and an MD at 34. Had a lot more stamina to work hard and play hard in my 20s by the time I got married I was already a D and had kids when I was an MD, so while I was busy, I wasn’t *that* busy. Makes a huge difference to lifestyle vs being a married associate or a VP with kids. 
 

Your years as an Analyst are not fully compensated by advancing to a VP/ED coz you have alongside you MBA assosicates and other new associate hires from firms u never even heard of climbing up the same ladder but with much more stamina left coz they didnt put as much hours in as an Analyst grilling those pages and excel sheets.

Great point here. In the past, I've overlooked the extra stamina that my MBA associates have. Particularly the ones with cool military backgrounds. I'm sure they all have more stamina than they would had they started as an analyst.

Why go to PE if you don’t make partner or raise a fund?