Which adds more value CLient Associate or Business Development Analyst

Can somebody please give me sound advice which really adds more experience Client Associate/Advisory Role or Business Development/Research Analyst. My ultimate goal is to transition into front or middle office either working in a hedge fund or investment management firm.

My friend works in a small FX firm as a client associate and he told me it won't add any value in terms of any analyst experience more customer relationship type of experience, maybe will be able to leverage you worked in financial services, but doubts very much. On the other hand, working at a boutique technology firm, I will be dealing with hedge fund technology strategy doing lot of excel, doing marketing research, write up, reading hedge-fund publication and some form of client interaction. Only negative is recruiter will see as this not working at a financial services, but I will have to convince I have solid experience.

Any advice would be appreciate..Cause in this economy any job is better than nothing, and believe my business development analyst role will help me leverage to work in front or middle office, along with Excel and CFA and CAIA