From IB onwards, seeking career advice.

Hey everyone,

I'm currently a 1st year TMT analyst in one of the top 3 BB (GS/MS/JPM) from a non-target school. I was hoping on getting some general career advice as to where to go from here, since I feel a bit lost in direction. I currently plan on just spending this 1st year with my head down, learning as much as possible and seeing if I continue to like my group culture / IB work in general before starting to actively seek other opportunities.

I know that the most common path is to PE, but I've also read plenty of caveats to it. Just want to make sure that I don't go into that path simply because everyone else screams that's what everyone else does. Staying in IB is another option I'll keep my mind open to.

I was also wondering what are the steps to go into a C-suite role later in the future. Is it easier to do so by sticking in IB and making my way up the chain? Or should I try to break into consulting and do several years there before trying?

I apologize for all the different directions/trains of thought. Would greatly appreciate people's current insights, especially given the unusual times of COVID.