Early Finance Career - Target Groups

If you were giving advice to your younger self, early in your career (0 to 4 years out of college or making a major transition), which groups would you prioritize for building a solid technical foundation and professional network? I'm taking into account prestige, as it does have value in mid-career stages. However, I'm not including Consulting, VC, PE, or Hedge Funds in this discussion (generally not open in early career). My ranking is below, comments/reranking welcome.

1.) M&A - breadth and depth of exposure to products, clients, strategy, valuation, etc. 2. ) LevFin - core financial analysis skills, lots of dealflow at large firm 3. ) Restructuring - duh 4. ) DCM / Product - network, core market experience, specialization 5.) Industry Coverage @ BB 6. ) Middle Market IB 7. ) Direct Lending / Commercial Banking 8. ) Research (Equity / Credit Rating) 9. ) Big 4 public accounting / advisory 10. ) Financial Advisor program at BB/Large Investment firm.* 11.) Life Insurance* 12.) Mortgage Broker*

*Gotta start somewhere if you really screwed up early on

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