Big FI shop vs local PE shop

Hi all. I've been out of college 6 years after graduating with a BA in math.

I worked a year in investment consulting, 3 years in performance reporting for a mutual fund co, and last two years in wealth management. I've never taken too deep of an interest in investments and finance, so I've not developed the kind of area-specific knowledge that I could have if I tried harder. I have fortunately gained a lot of technical skills (Excel, VBA, Alteryx, Python, etc.)

Anyway, I've just wrapped up final interviews at two places.

Option 1 is a large (1,000+ headcount) fixed income shop. Pay is a bit crap, temp-to-permanent position, and it's account management (transfering assets and making sure accounts are set up properly, ready to be invested and such). 

Option 2 is an alternative/private equity firm, much smaller (around 300). Pay is better, permanent position, and it's much closer (40 minute drive each way versus 1 - 1.5 hours for Option 1). 

Any advice? I think both jobs will be equally interesting (or equally uninteresting), just want to see what kind of finance-specific questions I should be asking myself.

Thanks

2 Comments
 

Id libero expedita velit laudantium ut. Soluta sed voluptatibus unde delectus atque et. Repellat provident ullam officia vero non sit. Cumque ratione sunt itaque ut sapiente temporibus nulla. Error tenetur ea error eum tempora neque corrupti deleniti.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”