Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Avid reader here. Many thanks to the community for the insight, advice, and laughs.

I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I recently graduated with a BS/MBA from a non target with a 3.8/3.97 (full ride if it matters). I thought accounting would be my best bet coming from a non-target to move onto bigger and better things. Man do I feel stupid. Not knocking accounting, rather, the lack of thought given to my career. But hey, you live and you learn.

In the ensuing scramble to figure out what I wanted to do I kept circling back to management consulting, the end goal being corp dev/strategy. Unfortunately, my experience consists of two accounting internships and I currently work in a financial analyst role (think accounting mixed with FP&A). It’s actually not that bad of a gig. Started with an average salary but was promoted in 8 months with a significant raise. I could easily coast here and jump around internally to make a low six figure salary within the next 4-6 years. I’m 23. It’s a strict 40 hour job with relatively low stress. The problem is that I do not find the work particularly stimulating. Truth be told, the idea of complacency eats away at me.

As I near the 1 year mark in my current role, I know that I need to commit if I want to have a shot. I need to ramp up my networking game. What I’m not so sure about are some roles that will make my transition possible. Do I start looking for roles at lower-tiered firms? Roles in a F500 company? Maybe some MO risk roles/boutique IB? Your advice here would mean a lot to me.

I had always thought that good grades would lead to success, but now I know this is only one part of the equation.