ER to IB Switch at Mid/Senior Level?

Hi All,

I've worked in ER for ~ 8-9 years, (5 years as an associate and 3-4 as a Senior covering analyst) at a MM bank. Given the negative trends in ER, its tough to envision this as a long term career. As a result, I'm looking to make a switch to a new role either on the IR/corp dev, investment banking, or potentially the buy-side (though pressures exist there as well).

I'm considering an offer covering the same industry at another boutique on the IB side (primarily M&A advisory) as a Senior Associate, with some line of site to VP level within 1-2 years. Compensation will be slightly higher vs. my peak as a Senior analyst.

Pros: -Opportunity to deepen knowledge of the sector and work with private data -Increase transactional experience and ability to leverage into a Corp Dev corporate role. -Less structurally challenged vs. ER. -Opportunity to leverage management relationships already built on the ER side -Less travel initially -A better line of sight to future professional growth

Cons -Longer work hours/ worse work-life balance -Lose contact with buy-side clients -Reduced day to day company management contact in near-term -Moving from running "own" franchise in ER to being beholden to multiple MDs/VPs

I'd love to hear thoughts from anyone who has made a similar move and thoughts on the pros and cons.

Also - happy to answer any questions anyone has on the ER career trajectory in general!

Thanks!