Importance of 1st Year Analyst Group - Firm Recognition & Industry Focus

As I go into FT recruiting, there are two questions I'd appreciate some perspective on.

How much weight does the first job have on career potential? Obviously it's a matter of the experience gained and the quality of performance, but how much impact does the firm name alone carry?

Regarding industry focus, at what point does it become difficult to switch industries. I'm very interested in a specific industry, but my background positions me much better for a different one. I feel I should just break-in first and then try to switch, rather than get a non-IB job in that industry and try to break-in from there.

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