PE or DCM for first job

Hi everyone on WSO.

This is my first post here so please be kind.

Just a bit of myself, I recently graduated with an Accountancy degree and I have internship experiences in Assurance, AM and PE. I did my PE stint during my penultimate year and was lucky enough to be offered a conversion for their FT analyst.

However, I am not exactly sure if I want to start my career from the buyside. I have heard that starting at the sell side is better as it provides you with more rigorous training and deals exposures.

In addition, the PE job requires me to spend 2 years in the middle office, before i can transit to the front office. I am not sure if that is exactly what i want.

I currently also have another IBD offer for DCM with a MM bank. I am kinda stuck at a crossroad because my peers are all asking me to stay at the PE firm, as the long term prospects are rewarding. However, a huge part of me really wants to try out the sell side, especially DCM. I kinda like FI/bonds as I was mainly dealing with those instruments during my AM stint and I think DCM is an area that i can excel it.

Salary wise, the PE job pays slightly better. But i am not exactly money sensitive and i am perfectly fine with what the dcm role is offering.

Please help! I am at a dilemma and I really cant decide.

TLDR: I have no prior experience in IBD (DCM), and have to choose between PE/DCM for my first job.

 
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