Major VC or GS/MS/JPM?

I am a soon-to-be-grad with an offer for a famous american VC fund in London (think Accel), and an offer for IBD in a good BB (think GS/MS/JPM).

I'm tempted to join the VC, which I find majorly more interesting than cranking out pitches all-night. On the other hand, the fund is in London, and I'm not sure they are as relevant there as they are in silicon valley.

But I'm afraid that I will miss out on the training of 2 years of banking. I know the skillset is different, but having worked in a BB does provide you with many useful skills. (I interned at the BB last summer)

Plus, I'm not 100% sure I want to work in VC/startups all of my life, and I'm afraid that starting at the VC = pidgeon holed.

What do you think?

 

I'd take the VC role, it's much more unique (if you ever want to go to MBA) and you'll still learn the basics of modeling (although maybe not to the same degree as an banker). If it's a top tier fund, you should have no problem moving into a variety of different roles if you wish later.

Frankly speaking, VC won't pidgeon-hole you into VC/start-ups. You should be able to make a move into IB, growth equity, LBO shops (a little harder tho), corporate development, strategy/product management roles at F500, consulting later on if you want.

 
Best Response

Agree with the comment above. People at GS/MS/JPM would drool over your VC offer after their 2 years of banking. If you picked up these offers, you're smart enough to pickup the same skillset you'd have after 2 years of banking. Training is really overrated; I taught myself modelling before banking by rebuilding models sent by friends, that's it. You'll be doing work that is SO much more interesting and satisfying in VC than at the big banks. If you think b-school, or anything else post VC, all doors will be opened. Banking will need to be supplemented with smth else to get you the same doors to open. Also, you're looking at a 50h work week vs 80-100 in banking, FYI.

Aei ho theos geōmetreî
 

Aut tempore laboriosam atque unde ut. Reprehenderit quisquam amet vel quae. Voluptatem reiciendis exercitationem ut quae nemo. Dolor voluptatum veniam dicta sint nostrum ut enim.

Iste blanditiis officia alias et sit. Quae voluptates repellat voluptatem voluptas sapiente nihil veritatis est. Tempora sunt sit et adipisci. Atque harum omnis dolor quia molestias autem laborum. Voluptatem est voluptatem provident.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”