Where to start your career

Hello folks,

I have an important question to ask.

I come from a small EU country (standards of living are significantly lower than the UK/US), but studied a STEM course at a British top target University (think Oxford/Cambridge) having graduated with top grades. In the summers I interned in a wide variety of fields (including finance - nothing spectacular though - but I also did some research at my University and worked for NGOs). After graduation I went on a gap year travelling and volounteering and got accepted for postgraduate studies (in finance and economics) to another top target University in Britain (think LSE/LBS).

However, this summer I interned at my home country's top asset management firm. The internship went great and I was able to network with the CEO. A week later they sent me a very competitive offer (the sum is exceptional for early career positions in my country. It is what mid-career level doctors (at the age of say 35) make, and about 50% higher than their usual early career offer).

My family is relatively well-off and own multiple properties next to the company offices (so I wouldn't need to pay the rent) and the hours are humane to say the least (it is a fairly usual 9 to 5 job). Adjusted for the lack of rent expenses, my salary wouldn't be far off the starting salary of an analyst at a top asset management firm in London. Indeed, cosidering the difference in working hours, I believe I would be making more money on an hourly basis. I also believe that my quality of life would be much higher, with more free time, a strong family network, and a (relative to others) better salary.

I also have significant savings that would be burnt by the postgraduate studies in the UK, but in the event of staying in my country I could spend otherwise.

I do believe however that I am a competitive candidate for a top job in London (or say Frankfurt) and would somehow feel that my career options would be curtailed if I started my career in the suburbs. I am also a competitive person and I think I could accomplish more long term abroad.

What do you guys think? Anyone that has found himself in a similar circumstance? Take the offer or go on to postgraduate studies and hunt for the top job?

Thanks in advance!

 

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