IB vs. PE Offer—Seeking Advice

Hey everyone, looking for some advice on how to approach this decision. I have two offers—one from a boutique IB firm specializing in M&A, and another from a European private equity firm with a focus on credit, infrastructure, and secondaries.

If I go the IB route, I’ll likely need to recruit again for full-time at a larger platform to improve my buyside options. If I start in PE, I may get more exposure to credit, which could lead to opportunities at a larger credit fund (think a top-tier platform with a strong credit arm).

My long-term goal is to position myself for strong buyside opportunities. I’m open to credit but not sure if I want to stay in it long term. Given these two paths, what factors should I be weighing the most? Would love to hear from anyone who has navigated a similar decision.

Appreciate any insights—thanks in advance!