Would you take MF PE analyst position for FT over a top IB group like PJT RSSG/GS TMT even if you were not 100% sure you wanted to do PE?
Personally, not sure if I want to be in PE or even finance long term (more interested in startups/entrepreneurship) but wondering if the pReStIgE of MF PE analyst is too good to pass up. On the otherhand, from what I've heard is IB gives you a broader range of exits outside of finance. What do you guys think?
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Goldman is more prestigious / (in)famous than probably any MF outside of finance, and if you’re looking to recruit outside of finance “investment banking analyst at GS” requires no explanation. An Ares — for example — offer is amazing, but really opens more doors in finance IMO. But maybe not more doors tbh than a GS TMT seat.
If I were you I would consider GS TMT then, especially if you want to go into tech. A lot of GS alum are in non-finance roles now (politics, law, etc.) and TMT coverage is relevant if you want to go to a tech startup
As for PJT RSSG, I dont see how that would be a better choice than say, BX PE, for non-finance roles. Restructuring is interesting dont get me wrong, but if you don’t want to stick in finance I think M&A would be a better choice, and would pick a BB.
It's totally up to what you want to do. If you are definitely set on finance, period end of discussion, then it's pretty hard to walk away from a MF PE analyst offer, even if you want to work in a different area of finance. Below is a link to another post that describes where BX Analysts ended up. If you don't work in finance, it's probably a bunch of places you've never heard of, but if you work in finance, well..., let's say I'd be pretty happy to in the current spot that any one of those analysts are today.
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/where-are-bx-pe-analysts-now
Most of the people end up either doing HF or staying in PE.
That said, if you want to do something else, especially outside of finance, GS TMT needs no explanation. Even BX Analyst might need a bit of explanation for those super entrenched in their own field.
Overall, both incredible places though. I imagine starting at either of these would stringboard career success.
Thanks for the detailed response, I think since I am not sure about a career in finance (PE/HF), the smartest choice would be to return to GS and in the future still give myself the chance to do PE through on-cycle recruiting.
I would definitely say that is the smartest decision. A ton of people who work at GS in IB go on to work in amazing areas, but many are able to succeed outside of finance too. Good luck with everything going forward too!
Since you say you're not set on PE, go with IB. The GS IBD brand will open doors way down the line (you start a company and need funding? You legitimize yourself that much more. You move to the midwest for family reasons and interview at an F500? Your resume stands out)
MF PE analyst is an outstanding career, but your optionality is more limited than banking and you need to be set on PE for it to make sense.
I would pick MF PE over an EB though, if the plan is to go outside of finance
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