Graduating soon and need help deciding between BB PE firm (middle office) vs boutique consulting firm vs MM Equity research
I'm graduating from a non-target school in May. I interned at a PE Mega-Fund last summer (Blackstone, Carlyle, KKR, TPG), in a middle office role (think fund-level accounting, reporting for LPs, and marketing covering a specific fund). The original plan was to accept the return offer, take the CFA, and work myself into a FO position at the same firm, another PE firm, or possibly do IB. Now, I am reconsidering my options.
The reason I am considering a move (from my offer to return to where I worked this summer) is because I am worried about getting "stuck" in the middle office, mainly due to the skillet I will be developing (or, lack thereof). I am worried that a a lot of what I do can be automated, and there aren't opportunities for me to exceed expectations. While I will get great brand-name recognition from the PE job, and I could possibility use it as a platform to network myself into the role I want at the same place (though, I understand that is very hard due to structured recruiting), I am more confident that I would gain more tangible skills at the two other places I am considering, which might actually lead to a better outcomes based my career goals. I am still planning on taking the CFA level 1 regardless of where I end up.
Two new opportunities came up that I am considering after grad. The first opportunity is an analyst job at a tiny boutique consulting firm doing a variety of work that is a cross between data analysis and financial modeling. The second opportunity is a research associate position at a MM investment bank covering FIG.
At the consulting firm, I'll work on many different projects at once. I will have a big impact because I am working with a team of M&A due diligence, to economic modeling... etc. Clients include fortune 500 logistics companies and HFs and PE firms. I'll also get to use my non-excel modeling and DA skills which I am worried I'll lose at the Mega-fund.
In equity research, I'll gain a deep level of understanding in FIG by working closely with an Analyst to produce content. I'll be more of a specialist in this capacity due to the nuances of FIG modeling, so there may be limitations to where I can go afterwards if after two years I do not want to stay. Overall, however, I enjoy the coverage group, and I will have the most exposure to the markets, which is a big plus for me. This also seems like the closest to FO finance as I can get at the moment.
Bluntly: what should I do?
Very appreciated,
Money
Hi Mupata, the silence is deafening, sorry about that.... Any of the threads below helpful?
If those topics were completely useless, don't blame me, blame my programmers...
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