Facebook vs. BB IBD vs. MBB Offer Help Me Choose

I have a rather unconventional schooling record and internship record. I have, however, been blessed to make a really big decision coming up. I'm curious as to what WSO members would do in this situation. I understand that the FB offer is a bit difficult to evaluate in context and there are about a million previous threads similar to this, but I want to know what people would choose in the current tech/finance climate. Recent undergrad in Math/CS

Rough Numbers:
FB (software engineer) - 110k Base + 100k signing bonus + 200k stock vesting over 4 (50k) + perf bonus ~10-20% of base (16.5k) + 7.5k relo = 283.5k first year comp.

401(k) + perks are also stellar, free food, relaxed atmosphere, dogs at work, etc.

I have a feeling like people will call BS on the numbers, so here's a few other links to prove that I'm not making this offer up: https://www.quora.com/What-was-the-salary-for-new… , https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-salary-for-new-… , https://www.quora.com/How-much-does-Facebook-pay-…,
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-typical-Faceboo…

This offer is, from what I can gather, a bit above median for a undergrad CS return intern at FB. I know these numbers seem large, but they're large because of the one-off 100k bonus. I also know of several friends at much more selective startups, think *addepar, quora, dropbox, snapchat that have much more generous packages than what I received.

MBB - 6k signing bonus + 71k base + 8k relo + perf bonus ~20% of base (14.2k) + profit sharing (not sure how much) = 99.2k

BB IBD - ~80k + bonus - take home is highly variable (say top bucket is 50-60k?) - 130-140k

I'm also still in the interview loops for some highly selective prop shops, but I'm not optimistic. I also have a less desirable S&T option, but I'm not really considering it.

About my goals: I really want to go to MBB, my dream is to eventually move over to the product management side (something that might not be possible from MBB - tech skills will erode). My dream job would be running my own startup eventually or work as a VC. If I'm to be completely aboveboard, I care about total comp more than I care about job content. But I care about total comp over the long run - no flash in the pan kind of stuff.

What would you choose? And would I be crazy to take the MBB job because I don't want to be pigeonholed as a tech guy?

 

I don't really understand you have a degree in Math/CS, so it's pretty much a given you want to do something related to software. I think you pretty much applied to the MMB and IB just to feel a quota of prestige or something. I would go for the FB offer since it's the most related thing to what you want to do in life + you can get an MBA later on and transition to VC or whatever you have decided on.

 

"My dream job would be running my own startup eventually or work as a VC. If I'm to be completely aboveboard,"

All of those are doable from each of the offers. That being said, MBB or IB would get you better suited for VC while the FB gig would prepare you better for the startup.

They're all great offers, so congrats on that. I don't have much advice to add since they're so different, except to say I'd have a hard time passing up a $100K signing bonus. That being said, if your end goal is elsewhere, that's just an opportunity cost then.

 
wanttobreakin111:

Holy shit at the Facebook offer. I guess tech officially pays more than finance now (at least for the entry level). Is the signing bonus for FB cash??

Fucking seriously.

"110k Base + 100k signing bonus + 200k stock vesting over 4 (50k) + perf bonus ~10-20% of base (16.5k) + 7.5k relo"

I studied the wrong things in college

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
Best Response

IBD and MBB are not the best paths into VC. More and more we're seeing top VCs (especially early-stage investors) require technical competency, or operational experience from technology companies. S&T and prop trading are the least relevant to your interests.

FB will place you in an excellent position to 1) move into product management after a few years, 2) refine your technical skills, and 3) move into VC after a few years.

I'm guessing that you're interested in early-stage roles (KPCB, Sequoia, A16Z, etc.). I have yet to see an early-stage investment role that hasn't at least stated "technical background preferred." You will also garner more respect from your co-workers and from others in the entrepreneurial community if you come from an engineering background. Startup founders (especially engineers) have little patience or respect for bankers and consultants.

Note that IBD and MBB are far superior in growth equity recruiting. If growth is what you want (TCV, Battery, JMI) then you should go into IBD.

 

Based on everything you have stated I would go FB route...sounds like great role for eventual start-up move and the comp certainly doesn't hurt. Congrats on all the offers though. One question - what school did you happen to attend?

 

Wow great offers. I'd definitely take the FB offer. To be honest, the technical background and proficiency needed to complete a computer science degree and truly understand the language of computers, data structures, algorithms, etc. is far above the technicals of any finance related career. FB will take you far into the next decades. Computer Science is the fastest growing industry and will continue to be.

 

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