Which offer is the best?

Currently looking at Baird (industrials), Raymond James (industrials), and Silver Lane for analyst positions. My other option is to go into Rx Consulting at A&M or MIII Partners. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Financially all these firms are offering similar pay with similar bonuses. In terms of exit opps, I'm stuck between going to PE or entrepreneurship.

16 Comments
 
Most Helpful

FIG is one of the most technical groups you can join in IB, do not discount the value of the experience. It is true you can get pigeonholed into FIG work in terms of buyside opps, within a bank FIG analysts and associates are valued by other groups. I know many FIG analysts at BB banks that switched to industry or product groups and think it's a piece of cake compared to their work before, and are performing well because of their earlier technical experience

FIG does not get lower exit opportunities, they just have less optionality and most likely FIG related exits. Working at a top FIG MF is not a lesser opportunity than other MF PE work, it's just more niche

“If you ain’t first, you’re last!” - GOAT
 

Are the IB offers in the same city? Is it Chicago? If so, I would lean towards Baird

Also, considering your goals of PE or entrepreneurship, I feel the IB offers give you the most optionality

“If you ain’t first, you’re last!” - GOAT
 

I would agree it will give you more time for entrepreneurship but it won't open the same doors for PE. You will be much more specialized than an IB analyst in industrials and will likely have to look at Lending (Sub / Mezz Debt) shops or distressed buy side opportunities. I would say the Baird offer makes the most sense, it is the best one out of your options.

Also the money you will save in Chicago vs NYC is also something to consider as it leaves you with more resources to start your side-hustle / entrepreneurship venture.

“If you ain’t first, you’re last!” - GOAT
 

Isn’t M-III working on the Sears restructuring? I agree with the others. Baird Chicago seems to be the best choice if you’re location agnostic and want to go into PE

Swinging Through
 

Facilis quia autem quia eos et aperiam. Id ab sed voluptas at iure. Cum veritatis saepe cupiditate explicabo sint facilis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”