Career Dilemma - Graduated from a target non-ivy

Ok so here goes:

Graduated from a School Banks Target (non-Ivy) 2 years ago but did not get a banking offer. Instead, ended up at as an analyst a small hedge fund making squat for money but getting way more experience (cross-sector) than I think I'd have gotten elsewhere because of the firm size.

Now I have a potential choice between the following:

1) MM Advisory associate (think PwC, Booz, Deloitte)
2) Research Analyst at a BB IB

I'd like to get right into banking at a BB, but I realize neither of these fits that exactly. I think comp is roughly equal, looking more at long term opportunities. Really, I want to have my options open for a potential HF/PE/IB job 10 yrs down the road and I'm aware of the exit ops for IB. Im also open to MBA or Quant MA at some point for 'rebranding', but I've seen skepticism for that on here.

Im not sure I'll get an offer for either, but which would you choose in my situation and why (assuming both are on the table)? Would I have a shot at an IB associate job in 1-2 years after Research or would I still need MBA?

 

I'd personally go for the IB jobs. From what I've seen of people I know working at PwC, Deloitte and the like, you still work long hours and a lof more travel. This may vary based on position but your quality of life is still not that much better when you compare the two. Then when you weigh in the factor of BB IB exit ops it just seems like a no-brainer. On top of that you'd def. be eligible for promo to associate without an MBA. I know several that have done well in their first two years and got promoted in good time. Good luck with the decision.

 
Best Response

Honestly as a former Big 4 employee I think you'd be taking a step back to go the consulting offer. Research analyst has a direct and proven path back to hedge funds, Big 4 (and comparable level) consultancy does not. Many in the finance world (in the US at least) do not take the Big 4 seriously except for back-office/accounting and control related roles.

There have been many great comebacks throughout history. Jesus was dead but then came back as an all-powerful God-Zombie.
 
Kenny_Powers_CFA:
I think you'd be taking a step back to go the consulting offer.

I appreciate the response and don't disagree with what you've said, but I want to clear something up. The advisory position is in the corporate finance group of XXX firm (not consulting group). Since you're former Big 4 you probably know better than me, but my understanding is that this is mid market M&A banking moreso than consulting (in the strategy sense).

Granted it is a big difference between doing a $25 mil deal and a $500 mil deal, but my thought process was that maybe mid market banking is better than no banking (the Equity Research) even though firm would be less prestigous. I guess if future hiring managers are going to look at my resume and confuse with Tax/Audit, it doesn't really matter that the work was similiar albeit on smaller deals.

Am I misunderstanding the corp fin position? Maybe PM me if you don't mind, I dont wanna give away the specific firm on a public board if possible.

Sick Avatar and Signature by the way, youve clearly got the mind of a scientist.

 

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There have been many great comebacks throughout history. Jesus was dead but then came back as an all-powerful God-Zombie.

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