MSF vs Full Time

I would love to get some insight from fellow monkeys regarding a few current options I have.

A little background: I graduated from a non target school in December 2012, since then I have been interning for a boutique valuation shop (PPAs, fairness opinions, intangible impairments, etc.. for small private companies). Long run I am looking to break into banking in NYC or the south. Which of these following options do you guys think would give me the best chance of landing a position at a reputable MM firm in the near future:

1. Attend Vanderbilt MSF ($30k tuition after scholarship)
2. Attend WUSTL MSF ($52k tuition)
3. Take full time Valuation Analyst position with larger valuation/ib group (think croft and bender)
4. Take full time Corporate Banking portfolio analyst position with very large southern bank

I would really appreciate any advice yall may have, thanks.

7 Comments
 
Best Response

I actually may be leaning towards option 3 now if the corporate banking role is similar to this ( https://suntrust.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl ). I'm not 100% sure but it seems like this position would move you away from the FO client-facing path to IBD. If your corp banking offer was for a generalist analyst position where you would be analyzing companies for underwriting purposes (i.e. spreading financials, learning the industry, cash flow analysis, etc.) and also assisting with the portfolio and risk monitoring then I would say that is definitely your best bet.

 

Ignore the above post because the link isn't working, read this one instead ...

I actually may be leaning towards option 3 now if the corporate banking role purely on portfolio maintenance and risk monitoring. I'm not 100% sure but it seems like this position would move you away from the FO client-facing path to IBD. If your corp banking offer was for a generalist analyst position where you would be analyzing companies for underwriting purposes (i.e. spreading financials, learning the industry, cash flow analysis, etc.) and also assisting with the portfolio and risk monitoring then I would say that is definitely your best bet.

 
The KidIgnore the above post because the link isn't working, read this one instead ...

I actually may be leaning towards option 3 now if the corporate banking role purely on portfolio maintenance and risk monitoring. I'm not 100% sure but it seems like this position would move you away from the FO client-facing path to IBD. If your corp banking offer was for a generalist analyst position where you would be analyzing companies for underwriting purposes (i.e. spreading financials, learning the industry, cash flow analysis, etc.) and also assisting with the portfolio and risk monitoring then I would say that is definitely your best bet.

The Corporate banking position would be strictly credit monitoring of the portfolio, but it would provide opportunities for lateral moves within the bank. When looking at the opportunities I thought the valuation analyst would provide the most relevant ib experience, but I haven't heard of too many people making the transition. Also, any reason the MSF is getting the least amount of love? I was leaning towards going to Vanderbilt to re-brand and hopefully land a position that would set me up to get into a better business school a few years down the road.

 

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