No Return - take MMIB offer or keep recruiting for strategy/other roles?
Hey everyone, I've gotten a lot of value from this forum over the years, so I wanted to get some career advice from experienced professionals.
I'm a senior at a semi-target on the East Coast, and I interned at a top BB this past summer. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to convert a full-time offer and had a really terrible summer, but I managed to land a full-time offer at a top MM, which I’m grateful for given how tough the market is right now. I also have some ongoing interviews for corporate strategy roles, and I feel confident that I could land more adjacent opportunities as they come up.
I like finance, but I'm not as focused on PE or HFs as some of my peers. My long-term interest has always been entrepreneurship (currently do a non-technical major, so hard to recruit directly into a startup). I initially thought that while IB might not be the perfect path for that, it could still provide valuable skills, capital, a network, and industry experience. But I’m struggling with the downgrade from the BB to MM, and I'm not sure if IB is still the right move.
I've heard mixed opinions—some say MM IB is great, while others think without a BB/EB name, it's not worth it unless you're committed to a finance career long-term. There’s also conflicting advice about lateraling from a MM to an EB/BB after a year—some say it’s nearly impossible, others say it’s very doable.
My question is: should I take this MM offer and stick with IB for a couple of years, or pivot now and focus on industry roles like corporate strategy, which might be better suited to my future goals in entrepreneurship? I'm also concerned about whether the opportunities I’m getting interviews for now will be as accessible with MM experience 2 years down the road, as I still have the BB and strong finance internships currently on my resume for FT roles.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to consider:
Key Points to Evaluate:
Current Market Conditions:
Long-Term Goals:
Industry Roles vs. IB:
Lateral Moves:
Recommendations:
Take the MM IB Offer:
Continue Exploring Corporate Strategy Roles:
Evaluate Future Opportunities:
Conclusion:
Taking the MM IB offer provides a secure path in a challenging market, while continuing to explore corporate strategy roles keeps your options open. Align your decision with your long-term entrepreneurial goals and the skills you wish to develop.
Sources: Post MBA IB: deciding which group?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/thank-you-wso-community-qamy-story-target-state-school-non-mba-masters-mm-ib?customgpt=1, please help Lateral Analyst - Should I take this offer? (MM>EB), Consulting vs IB for Corporate Roles?, BB Corporate Banking vs Terrible Boutique Investment Banking
Take MM IB. You won’t be doing much as a 1st year in corporate strategy roles.
Second this, MMIB experience and skills you'll learn will accelerate your comprehension faster than most others. Do 1-2 years and then jump to corp strat if that's still your move. I'm currently doing this but coming form research hopeful to corp strat or strat finance.
That makes sense, thank you. Is lateraling after 9mo - 1yr to a BB/EB feasible as well from an MM?
Bump
The difference between MM, EB, and BB is miniscule compared to the difference between working in IB and not.
Take the job, always the chance to lateral in the future.
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