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?

  • Request: Insight for Upcoming Mid-Market RE IB Interview I'd like to get some insight on a first round phone interview I have with a middle-market ... "build financial models... pitch books...research companies...analyze business operating risks...control ... investment bank that is scheduled very soon. As such, quick response turnaround would be much appreciated! ...
  • Thank you WSO Community! AMA/My Story: Target--> State School--> Non-MBA Masters--> MM IB--> Lower MM PE In short, I recently accepted an offer to join a lower middle market PE firm after a little less ... it as I achieved my goal of graduating with FT offer in IB at a MM bank. Internship (grad school) ... I was able to network my way into a internship at a major HR consulting firm in NYC. This was a great ...
  • 30 year-old breaking in first clients, so after conducting market research and writing a business plan, we dove in. We ... Bulge Brackets, MDs can help after your CV has passed the HR screening process; not before, at least ... final rounds at banks, consulting firms, PE shops and a couple of HFs. My technicals were
  • Need Help Formatting CIM Hi all, I work for a new middle-market private equity fund. I would appreciate advice on how to ... format a long Investment Memorandum. We don't have shortcuts built into word (like bulge bracket ... investment banks do) to help us format company colors, etc. Any advice about how I can build a macro to ...
  • The Road Less Traveled a risk. I decided I needed to cast a wider net geographically. I applied to every Equity Research role ... contemplating which Bulge bracket is better, or posting about getting into IB / ER with really no clue what the ... I worked there for 6 months, and now I am in sell-side ER at a bulge <
  • Week 4 of IBD Internship: Initiation future, and sports. He already had an associate position at a middle market private equity firm locked ... client offered to each private equity shop's current portfolio. After skimming the document, ... buyers this week for Charlie's deal. In attendance on the private equity shop&#
  • Week 3 of IBD Internship: The Pitch were after leaving the group next week. Erin was headed to a reputable middle market private equity ... among the big guys, some research analyst commentary, and follow up with a fire power analysis. Let the ... fairness. Chen shrugged, "It was nothing really. We just talked about the group, the PE shops ...
  • More suggestions...

If those topics were completely useless, don't blame me, blame my programmers...

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