PLEASE HELP choosing between offers! BB Ops Risk vs. Boutique AM Sales

Hi everyone,

I'm a 2nd year analyst looking to transition to something different - currently at a BB right now and have worked in several FO/MO groups in different businesses at my firm.

I have 2 very different offers - one in Ops Risk at a BB (at my current firm, think GS/JPM/MS) and the other at a boutique AM firm doing Institutional Sales. I need to make a decision within the next few days.

Honestly, I have no idea what I want to do post the next 2-3 years. Considering an MBA, but not 100% set on it. I would also like to try working in a IR/BizDev role at a HF/PE or even do BizDev at a F500.

Which would have better exit opps? Pay is pretty similar between the 2, but lower base/higher bonus for the sales job at boutique. Both located in a city with high CoL.

Please feel free to share some of your wisdom below... Thanks.

3 Comments
 
Best Response

If your goal is IR/Biz Dev then the skills you develop in the institutional sales role will be much more applicable and set you up with better exit ops. And frankly, I think the sales role will be more interesting/stimulating. I don't have any real thoughts re: pay, depends on your risk tolerance/financial situation, neither of which is any of my business.

More generally, and others can weigh in, the experience you get in institutional sales, while finance-focused, will generally be more transferable to other positions/industries if you pursue an MBA and decide to switch careers. The skills you develop in a sales role are lifetime skills. Plenty of companies will always a need talented sales force and too over generalize, I would argue its easier to learn a product than to learn how to sell.

I'd throw my hat in the ring for the institutional sales role, FWIW

 

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