Corporate Finance Vs Portfolio Administration

Some quick background to start. 

I recently graduated from my undergrad in commerce, and am holidaying for the summer. I also have CFA level 1 passed. 


I'm currently trying to decide between two job offers. The first is corporate finance at a non-big 4 firm (Think GT/RSM).  The pay is below average, but they're offering CFA study leave and financial support. 

The second job is a 'middle office Portfolio Administration' role, with an ETF provider. They have roughly 40 Bn AUM within their ETFs. The pay is better, with the same study leave perks. 


As I am still a student, it is difficult to predict where I want to work. Although I think ultimately I want to end up in asset/portfolio management. This makes me lean more toward the Portfolio administration role but I have some fears. Firstly, I am afraid of being stuck in a mundane 'middle office' role for an extended period of time. I am also not fully sure about the differences between portfolio admin and portfolio management. Although google searches seem to indicate the terms are interchangeable. Also, I am wondering would brand name of the non-big 4 firms stand to me more than the smaller asset manager in the future. Or is it preferable to start my career in asset management, rather than trying to lateral from Corp Finance in a few years. 


All replies greatly appreciated. 

 

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