Should/Can I go back to IB?

Hey WSO,

CONTEXT: I've got 5 years of IB experience under my belt (intern to associate). I closed around 5-6 deals at a big international boutique, but they don't have much of a presence in the US. I have an MBA from a top-notch school (though not SHW) with honors.

After the MBA, I applied to Corp Fin/Corp Dev roles at high-growth startups. Things have gone pretty well—I've climbed the ranks from associate to manager to Head to VP at a company that went from Series A to Series C. The fixed comp's decent at 200k, plus some stock options. 1st-year options that could be worth a little something down the line already vested. I don't see this company going public nor another meaningful equity round, best case it will grow 2-3x and then get snatched up by a big player. So financially, it's time to say goodbye!

  • The management's a mixed bag—about 40% of 'em are great, the other 60% huge incompetents. I'm fortunate to be 'part of the club,' but I hate the culture. Everything moves at a snail's pace, it's a remote setup with folks lounging in sweatpants all day.

As I'm assessing my options...I can't help but think about going back to IB/Finance as long as the company, role and comp are right.

QUESTION: Do you think a return to IB is on the cards for me (aka should I/can I)? If so, what role / where (BB, EB, MM, etc.), and what kind of comp/hours should I be expecting? And what about VC or PE?

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I get what you saying but...
1) I'm in an exploratory phase here... I want to know what my options are. IB is something I enjoyed so why not put it on the list? If the good places only recruit MBA summer, or post MBA Associate I won't even bother... I've done my time as an Associate. 
2) It's not really about 'what is right for me'... I like to think I can make it work anywhere with the right incentives in place. 
Incentives are not right where I am. And I don't want to be (or work with/for) a couch potato in my prime years.
3) Personally, VC seems to make the most sense given my background but I will need to network my ass off, which is ok. I can do that if I think it is worth it.
PE, I think the lack of PE/buy side experience will stand in my way. 

In conclusion, I just want to hear what people who are closer to IB/PE/VC recruiting these days have to say. If they tell me to cross something from a list of options, it is already a win for me. 

lmky
 

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