The IB way or switch to Business Development/M&A

(All opinions are valid to me if properly justify) I’ve always appreciated the insightful advice I’ve received in this forum, and it has help to shape my career so far. I’d like to ask for your thoughts on a dilemma I’m currently facing. I come from a family with a background in investment banking—both my father and grandfather worked in NYC before I was born. However, I was born in a third-world country and moved to Europe to begin my career in M&A (I recognize that starting my career in the U.S. might have been a better choice, but the dice are cast) After some challenges, I finally secured an analyst position in sell-side M&A at a small boutique firm focused on LMM in Oct24. However, the boutique has significant cultural issues, and the growth prospects are limited at best. Recently, I was contacted by a former boss about a junior manager position in the business development /M&A strategy department of a large German corporation, one of the few companies currently expanding in this challenging market. The offered junior manager position has a similar base salary to most M&A Analyst positions (and half the hours) at MM shops to which I could do a lateral after one year here. In the long term, I aspire to transition to a PE fund (probably industrials). Given my family background, I’ve always aspired to work at a BB/EB. However, I’ve come to realize that my German language skills will likely never be sufficient to secure a front-office position at such firms in Germany. This leaves me questioning whether I should continue pursuing a career in the industry at all. I’d love to hear your advice about what you guys would do in my situation.

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