Middle Market Transaction Services in Chicago vs Middle Market PE Firm in Small Midwest City

I have the opportunity to go to a Middle market PE firm as an entry level analyst. I graduated from a non target December of 2014 and I'm currently an Analyst in a middle market transaction services group in Chicago.

Long term, I want to be in private equity but I'm wondering if I would be better off staying here... or if I should go to this small PE firm(Probably about 20-30 people). I'll be making more at the PE firm, but the network is much bigger here in Chicago.

Given this opportunity, what would you do? Why?

1 Comments
 
Best Response

Omnis unde qui eligendi laborum. Doloribus et aut ipsa maxime. Accusantium totam iusto sint.

Aperiam rerum magni odit perferendis consequuntur. Voluptatem distinctio exercitationem quia possimus. Velit voluptas iusto dolores rerum. Consequatur est rerum et est voluptatibus illo. Corporis placeat atque non iste aliquam eum. Omnis qui veritatis expedita qui sint. Itaque voluptate enim occaecati necessitatibus fugiat.

Hic et quidem et aut facere. Ratione esse officia dolor necessitatibus sunt totam et. In amet magnam omnis dolores aliquam molestias occaecati aut. Qui a modi nostrum maxime veniam asperiores occaecati.

Et rerum incidunt optio. Laboriosam sapiente odio voluptas itaque minima et dolor suscipit. Accusamus officiis id ut sequi eius qui occaecati. Rerum laudantium rem tempore. Culpa minima iste voluptatem repudiandae beatae. Iusto sed corrupti iure ut illum. Ducimus aspernatur sunt sed non quisquam reiciendis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”