Need to make my next step... go with the unknown or play it safe

Currently a 2nd year analyst at a well-known high growth tech company. TLDR is it's not for me. I find myself working 60-70-80-90 hour weeks (which I think I'm SEVERLY underpaid for ~100-110k all in with in year equity (ex. benefits)), my boss is aggressive and treats me like trash, and I'm generally uninterested in what I'm doing/don't see a long career path in corp fin. Being CFO doesn't seem like the pinnacle/goal for me and whatever I do I want to be at the top of the ladder BUT this could be because my current boss has spoiled it for me.

Willing to part with a fairly sizable chunk of pre-ipo equity just to get the fuck out... should the right next step come along.

Option 1: currently getting recruited pretty heavily for another pre-ipo tech company (maybe ~2yr horizon until public debut). They said base pay will be a meaningful increase from where I am now (this matters a lot to me), I will be the second finance hire and will own a large section of the Operating model (having this much responsibility is exciting but also a little daunting). I seem to get along well with the guy who is building a department too which is a plus. Interview process is getting more serious with meeting executives/long case studies and I haven't been able to keep on top of my job because of it. 

Option 2: try to go sell side (pref. IB but potentially ER). I have a limited network here (if I go this path I want to try to keep it on the downlow and tread lightly with my IPO connections) but seems like i could be a good fit. I have a heavy excel/forecasting background, played a substantial role in my companies IPO so know the processes, and already grind under a jerk so I might as well get paid for it. This will be under the impression I can get really great training and hopefully move on somewhere else after. Yes, willing to go back in title... even AN1 makes more base than i do TC and I think the long term benefits of banking will pay dividends in terms of technical ability and leverage.

Option 3: a coworker I use to work with on the buyside (was Associate / Sr. Analyst when I was an intern) recently started a fund and wants me to join him. Currently does not have the AUM to charge a meaningful enough fee to pay a base salary but he may be able to soon (a lot of risk and chance here). Base (if it comes) would be street plus a meaningful chunk of carry and equity. I mostly trust he wont fuck me over, but you know how these things go... End of the day though, we work well together and it seems like a positive relationship. In theory, I could help market play a small role in the fund (off the trading side (yes, legal / compliance confirmed)) when things are quiet at my day job and then jump ship when he can pay me. I think it would be unfair to take another position with the intention of moving somewhere else once this takes off... but there's the IF....

What do you think? What am I missing?

4 Comments
 

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