Choosing between first job offers
Hi everyone!
I’m currently an undergrad senior and recently received two very different job offers. One is from a reputable asset management firm (Invesco/PIMCO/BlackRock) as a product analyst, and another offer is as an investment analyst at a fast growing small PE secondaries shop (1.5B AUM).
In the medium term, I definitely want to be in investment research at a well-known buy-side company. Some decision factors and key questions I’d like some insights on are:
1) Would it be impossible to be recruited as an investment/research analyst after being a product analyst for the first 1-2 years? If it is possible, what does it take (i.e. CFA?)
2) What is the exit opp from secondaries? What is the transition like going into buyout or just other investment management firms? I know for sure I want to do investments, but I would hope that I won’t be “defined” or stuck in a specific niche sector (secondaries).
Some context: I am international and coming from a non-target school, so I’ve definitely learned the importance/credibility from having a reputable brand name.
This is my first post ever on WSO, and I will really appreciate any thoughts and insights! Thanks in advance!