Best path into IB or Strategy/Management Consulting (1 Year out of Undergrad)

Hi All,

I'm currently 1 year out of graduating undergrad, and have spent the last 8 months doing Operations Analysis at a FANG company. I left the role a few weeks ago due to limited opportunity towards internal lateraling and the relative ease of the job (I learned everything there was to do in a matter of months, and daily responsibilities remained the same).

I have been actively recruiting and currently have 2 offers: 1 for a small-mid client IT consulting firm and the other as a finance & operations analyst for a smaller international bank (Contract Opportunity that will turn Full-Time). Because this is a contract opportunity, I have the chance to continue recruiting, while also networking and possibility internally transferring into something more technical like credit analysis or FP&A. At the same time, I'm also heading towards the final rounds of interviewing for 2 REITs and as an Operations Analyst at a quant fund.

My ultimate goal is to go into either IB or Management consulting/Strategy in order to best prepare for a Top MBA school down the line. Finding open opportunities at these firms has been relatively difficult with 1 year of experience (especially in operations), so I'm planning on remaining in the opportunity for a year or so before applying for more Associate positions.

I studied Econ/Finance at a top 10-15 undergrad business school, but have found it relatively difficult securing interviews for more technical finance position due to my first job being limited to Operations. I would appreciate any advice on the process in general, whether it's regarding what positions to pursue or an alternate path to take.