Clout vs Quality of Life

You have two opportunities in IB at a BB. M&A and "x niche group," equal comp and growth opportunities within each segment. M&A hours can be, and mostly are brutal (80+ a week). "X Niche group" is mainly 8:00AM-8:00PM Monday-Thursday, 8:00AM-6:00PM Friday with minimal weekend work (60-70 a week).Future goals...Fund manager, Investment Advisor, etcExecutive-level leadership elsewhere or within current BB.MBA in between year 2/3 of IB.Leave IB by 27-30 years old (for leadership roles)MarriageIs there a huge advantage to a "flashy" M&A job? Obviously, you have to be very driven and talented to do M&A at a high level, but does it pay off to work 20+ hours more a week and get paid the same as the niche group? Why do people want to do M&A so bad? Best exit ops?

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