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Hi - My suggestion would be to focus more on what you want to do longer-term vs focusing on near term compensation. If a pivot into what is a career that interests you, in a role that interests you, things like pay will sort themselves out over the longer term. Would note IB vs corporate are two different types of jobs / paths with puts and takes. Would also note that multiple near term pivots may create unnecessary noise around your path that you may need to explain later. To the extent you do move into the IB role yes lateral options / opportunities will be available to you. 

 

You're always going to have more options, a longer trajectory and get treated better if you're a top senior analyst vs. an average to below average associate. 

If you want to do this longer term, it's in your best interest to come in as an analyst which will give you much more runway to get to the next step.

Be honest with your skillset. If you're well ahead of the curve on the soft skill side (i.e., comfortable presenting in front of senior management and great at developing relationships with execs that are 20+ years older than you), by all means, push to be an associate. 

If you're strong technically but feel like you wouldn't know what to say if you were asked to lead a client meeting, you're doing yourself a huge disservice by pushing to come in above the analyst level.

I'm guessing if you're having this conversation and they have headcount at the associate level, their view is that you fit in the latter bucket, which is ok for now but will be something you'll need to work on. Don't let your ego destroy your career before it has even started. 

 

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