Investment Banking vs. MBB for Big Tech/Startups
I'm currently holding an offer from MS Menlo Tech. I have 0 interest in private equity or even Venture Capital, and I'm looking to either exit into big tech (perhaps some kind of strategy/product type role, not Corp Dev) or into a startup. I have a computer science degree, so I am graduating with a technical background.
Considering this situation, would a background in MBB consulting be more beneficial for reaching these goals? I attend an Ivy target school and FT recruiting for MBB starts in the fall, but I need to make a decision soon as to whether to prepare for these interviews. I know MBB is more operationally oriented, but MS Tech is exclusively focused on the industry that I'm interested in and seems to have the name recognition within tech circles, so I'm having some trouble making a decision. Any help would be really appreciated.
MS Menlo (and really any of the top tech groups) can definitely put you in the running for CorpStrat/BizOps, BizDev or Product roles in Tech. Just make sure you really tap into your school and firm's network in the area to get warm leads on top of any other HH or direct recruiting strategies.
Definitely apply to the rotational APM programs that hire experienced recent grads (off the top of my head I know FB, LinkedIn and Google are all willing to hire recent grads with top backgrounds).
Having a CS degree also helps a ton for signalling your "nerd street cred" which is typically a big stumbling block for people gunning for Product roles. By having one you can check the "I understand what the SWEs are saying" box more easily than someone wthout a rigorous/technical/quant degree. Not to say that it's impossible for those people, it isn't, but you'll need to prove your chops here some other way if you fall into the other camp.