Sophomore Summer: Distressed ER vs. RX Boutique for a London RX IB pivot?

Hey everyone,

I’ve currently got two offers on the table and want to make sure I’m picking the one that best positions me for London RX IB (PJT/HL/Lazard) or Elite Boutique RX Consulting (A&M/Alix) for my junior year.

Option 1: Buy-side ER at a Value-Focused Asset Manager The desk has a heavy tilt toward distressed and out-of-favor names and the seat is pretty technical from what I've gathered. I'd be building out 3-statement models, running DCFs, and pitching directly to the IC.

Option 2: RX Consulting at a National Specialist Boutique This firm is the dominant player in my region for mid-market administrations and CVAs. Since the "Big 3" and the Big 4 don't have a massive presence in this specific city, this boutique picks up most of the mandates. The work would be standard junior RX: 13-week cash flows, IBRs, and liquidity testing.

The Dilemma: I’m torn between the “Buy-side” branding and the direct technical relevance of the boutique. For a London RX recruiter, which of these signals "Day 1 ready" more effectively? Does having the ER modeling experience beat out being in the weeds of an actual restructuring process?

Appreciate any insights from anyone currently on an RX desk!