Full-time at MM London boutique or SA at BB?

Would appreciate any thoughts here.

Have the option of joining fulltime at an LMM/MM boutique in london (around 60 people) or joining as an SA at a BB (BoA, Barclays, Citi).

SA would mean I do a 1 year masters - cost isn’t an issue as I am lucky enough to have a family that pays for all education.

Thank you

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I'd probably do the SA then the masters, provided you back yourself to get the FT offer (which isn't that hard, just work really hard and learn on the job). It is a touch riskier but even if you didn't get the return then you'd still be really well placed for recruiting with BB SA and a top masters (if you do one), and could end up at an even better place.

Doing a finance masters is also great way to network before starting in banking as well as have a slightly more chilled year to learn/mature before you really have to work. Especially if you aren't taking on additional debt then I think the latter option pads your resume more, with an extra year not that much of a downside. Slightly more stress in the short term but if you are good then you'll get a FT role and it will be worth it. If risk averse take the FT offer though, just my two cents. 

 
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Agree with the above. It’s not a race my guy!

So the SA, crush it, get the return and then enjoy one year of masters with an offer in your pocket, while all your friends are busting their asses writing applications. As mentioned above, network is also a positive aspect.

 

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