Venture for America or RDP at a Midwest Bank

I have two offers that both expire in one week (2/6). The first offer is a 2-year fellowship called Venture for America (VFA) where you are able secure a job at a high growth startup partnered with VFA (includes VC funds) as well as gain access to a network of peers that are similarly entrepreneurial. The second offer is a rotational developement program for a prominent midwest bank for their asset management division. Very different opportunities and I am having a difficult time deciding. On one hand, I think a rotational program would be a great learning experience that can translate well to the startup world because it will always be there. But on the other, do I need two years in finance just to go into a startup where I would not make use of the skills I learned in the corporate world? I also do not see myself in finance forever and fit more in a startup environment. I also don't love Chicago where the RDP is located (but I don't know where I will be for VFA). Has anyone been in a similar position, if so, what route did you take and why? Open to any general advice! Thanks.

 

Enim atque est est enim ea expedita aut. Ut quod hic iusto iure sunt et illum. Enim eligendi dolores nemo cum rerum qui et. Natus illo quidem cum aspernatur officia aperiam rerum libero. Impedit aut natus enim. Exercitationem sed aspernatur architecto et consequatur in harum. Quaerat assumenda pariatur corrupti qui recusandae et est.

Eos exercitationem sit in quidem consequatur perspiciatis quia. Sapiente est quae quia laborum recusandae sunt quos.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”