Big Startup vs IB

I have at the moment the toughest decision to make in my life- to choose between a big startup (think Airbnb/Uber/Dropbox) or an IB (think UBS/GS/JPM) and I would like your opinion before deciding.

To provide some details, they are both for an office which are non-US, non major tech or financial hub. The offers for both revolve around operations, at entry-level.

I am leaning towards the startup (if they are still considered a startup) offer, as it aligns with my passion, work ethic, skills, and end goal- which is to be an entrepreneur myself in the future. They are still expanding in that particular region, and I would have plenty of opportunities to pick up work outside the operations function and thereby learn a lot. Essentially, I can see myself motivated every morning to go to work.

For the IB offer, it's great for only 2 reasons really, brand name and job security. I have almost zero interest in finance, and from what I understand, it's a primarily back/middle office role; I have no qualms with that as being in the front office in a bank is not something I'm keen on. This I can't see myself eager to get up every morning.

So once again, before deciding, I'd like opinion from all of you on which offer is, well, better. I can provide more information if it helps.

15 Comments
 
Best Response

Go with the startup. Working in the middle office/back office isn't that great.

Honestly, this doesn't seem like a hard decision. If you're actually working at Airbnb, Uber, or Dropbox, all three of those firms have just as good (if not better) brand names compared to any major investment bank. I can't imagine job security would be bad either.

 
"Dshama"

I have almost zero interest in finance

I think you answered your own question. Life's too short to do something you don't enjoy.

"There's nothing you can do if you're too scared to try." - Nickel Creek
 

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