DCM vs Public Finance

If you were a college grad and had a choice between public finance and DCM, which group would you choose?

I have offers in both from comparable banks (European BBs), but I can't get a good idea which group will be better for exit opps and career growth. I know they both aren't ideal, but is one better than the other? 

6 Comments
 

Not OP, but would the only redeeming quality be WLB for PubFin? I figure dealing with government-type clients makes the hours less demanding or unpredictable. I also believe comp at the junior levels are only a light discount, with heavier discounts later in the career. Depending on the types of deals they get, they could get some cool P3 deals and exit to infra PE. Not sure though

 
Most Helpful

minimonkey123

Woah, this goes against WSO rhetoric. There aren't any exit opportunities from PubFin to PE. Fall back in line now. Thx.

I have worked in Public Finance and had an opportunity in PE from a former manager in the Public Sector. He was very high up and left to go to a senior PE position and we were/are on good terms. So its not impossible. One of my peers left to join PE with him and I was offered the same.

Given the options OP listed though, I'd pick DCM. I thought the Public Sector was slow and boring. It was too easy and the only way to make it challenging was to take on a bigger portfolio of projects and become more efficient. To make partner in Public Sector is to live the easy life - many do not want to leave the predictability and security of the Public Sector. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

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