Pros & cons of starting from the buy-side (AM) as opposed to sell-side (IB/PE)

i wasn't sure which forum to post this (IB or AM) but i guess this forum is more active??

anyways. planning a career in the industry comes with a lot of trade-offs. I've been inclined to AM for a while but skepticism is such a bitch. i don't know a lot of people in the industry, so might as well ask for your opinions

the way I think about it ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

pros of starting in AM
•much better work/life balance
•broader exposure to financial markets
•more opportunity to think critically & give actual opinion (though not a lot of decisions)
• high retention rates (at companies like BlackRock; which aligns perfectly with my goals rn - becoming a PM)

pros of starting in IB
• extremely valuable & transferrable skillset that opens up the doors for a wide array of exit ops (eyes on HF). i heard somebody say that sell side analysts do "god's work" for their peers on the buy-side
•better compensation (though i would easily sacrifice that for a better wlb)

what do y'all think? am i getting it wrong?

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