Prevent me from committing career suicide (offer dilemma)!
Hi guys,
I am in a huge quandary... no where to turn but here - if you have some informed advice on the matter please offer your thoughts!
I received a return offer from a top group (in terms of exit opps - M&A/LevFin/Financial Sponsors) from "mid-tier" BB (CS/BofAML/Barcap) in NEW YORK.
I also recently received a generalist offer from a top BB (GS/MS/JPM) in HONG KONG.
Long term career wise, I think I want to develop in the Asia-Pacific region. Would it be a conspicuously bad choice to start my career at a top BB in Hong Kong? For what it's worth... I do plan on returning to B-School a couple of years down the line if necessary, and I do come from a strong Ivy target.
I can sit here all day and make a list of pro's and cons for each but honestly, I'm exhausted. I feel HK would be a better "life experience" (having lived in New York all my life and genuinely tired of this city), but at the same time, New York is probably a better "technical experience".
What would you guys do? Thanks guys.... tyia
HK, no doubt
I have to agree. HK is probably the better choice for several reasons. You need to go back and get your MBA, having international experience and being from an ivy looks great on B-school apps. Also, think about the brand name recognition and most importantly the alumni connections that going to that top bank will do for you. All three of those top banks have a very strong culture in terms of "recruiting their own".
Follow up on that... does anyone know for B-school admissions, given I am a US Citizen, and educated all my life in the US, if I work in HK, am I an "international applicant" or am I grouped domestically? thanks! (i only ask because from my undergrad, it seems international admissions is much more competitive)
just curious..if you interned here in NY how did you manage to get an offer so early from HK?
I would go with HK.
I am more into the trading side of banking, and I don't picture myself going into MBA for whatever reasons in the future, so I guess I want to know why almost everyone recommends taking an offer in HK ...
Several people say HK, but I would actually for with the NYC offer.
I was in the same position as you, got an offer from the boutique v.s. top banks in Asia and want to reside in Asia long-term
I decided to work in the US first for at least one year then perhaps lateral to Asia.
Yes Asia would be MUCH MORE interesting, but at the same time, you are not coming back to the US to work afterwards. I like the fact I can say I work in both countries to give myself a better leverage when I eventually end up working in Asia
Question: Do you guys interview in Asia the same way that you would with US cities? Do they fly you out to HK and everything for superdays?
If you think this lemma is "career suicide", stay away from tall bridges.
given how retarded these questions are, i don't think you're risking much career wise
HK for sure. Asia is the future and if you can lock it up with one of those top firms definitely do it. You can also run up to the Mainland on the regular for lady-chasing (the HK girls are a bit proper), and take a short trip to Macau to gamble in the world's largest casino any time you have a spare few hours. Again, HK for sure.
westfald gets a co-sign
Thanks guys this helps.
As for how I get an offer in HK, did a summer analyst at a BB (not the one i have offer from now) sophomore year and built up a network early. I didn't enjoy the experience at my BB in NY this year as much as I did in HK, and i felt the experience was very, very different in terms of what you learn.
i.e. in New York, you build up a "modeling" skillset or whatever, in HK you get client management exposure very, very early on and your responsibilities are much greater. only problem is that there is minimal modeling. at the same time, what changed my thoughts about NY was that there are plenty of analysts in new york who can't build an M&A / LBO model anyway... so i mean if you take the modeling component out, HK was a much better learning experience all around.
You want to go to Hong Kong so go to Hong Kong. You'll be fine career wise either way because honestly it makes very little difference.
People in general over think these decisions instead of just doing what they want to do life wise.
^
Yeah, at the end of the day, i think that's what it boils down to. Thanks guys.
I believe you should start in Hong Kong. I've had friends work over there and thoroughly enjoy the experience. Besides, if you want to develop in that area, try to get into the market as soon as possible.
But just know, you'll be working with Chinese bankers. And, like my friends say, Chinese bankers are workaholics on steroids.
First of all you are good either way. That said I would start in NYC. I would try and do my analyst stint in NYC/London, get my MBA, and then go to whatever I am really interested in. That way you have the most options to go in any direction after you have more experience and are more confident in where you want your career to go. Going from NYC to HK is easy, but going to NYC from HK not so much.
oh, and there is no difference between mid and top BBs.
+1. Take the time to do your analyst stint in New York or London if you've got opportunities at the likes of BaML, CS or BarCap. The developing markets really dig candidates that mastered their skill sets in the west. Also, you'll be able to exit back home if you need to, which you won't necessarily get to do if you're emerging markets man. I went developing markets early on and its tough to find a role if you want to go back home. You'll make a lot more in emerging markets though so there is a trade off.
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