Must Choose Between Corporate Strategy & Corporate Development -- Advice Appreciated

Hi everyone,

I would really appreciate some advice on a job dilemma I'm facing. I work at a F500 with a fairly active M&A operation. I have just completed a finance leadership rotational program, during which time I rotated with the company's Corporate Development (M&A) group.

Thinking that the Corporate Development group wasn't going to be hiring, I interviewed with and received a job from the Corporate Strategy group, which I was planning to accept. Right before, however, the Corporate Development reached out and offered me a job out of the blue.

I'm extremely torn between the two opportunities. I think I'm slightly more partial to the work of the Corporate Development group and I've got some very strong mentors/advocates in the group, but the Corporate Strategy group would likely expose me to new skills/experiences and get me involved on some very operational projects. From what I understand, the work/life balance is better in Corporate Strategy as well.

On the other hand, I'm concerned that if I join the Corporate Strategy group, I will have a tough time breaking back into Corporate Development without making a lateral or backward move if I do determine in the long run that I want to do M&A for my career.

Any advice at all would be really appreciated! Thank you!

 

I think it will be easier to go from Corp Dev to Corp Strat than vice versa. But if you intend to go MBA -> Consulting, Corp Strat at a great firm is a layup. So, it's really up to you. 

 

Veniam similique pariatur temporibus et dolores. Voluptates blanditiis qui qui repellendus. Corrupti consectetur sapiente ex voluptas cum cumque velit aut.

Modi nobis sequi delectus. Sequi sed dolorem animi ut est odit similique. Nulla illum eligendi nemo doloremque laborum. Inventore id maxime quam repellat magni.

Vero praesentium aspernatur veniam necessitatibus occaecati reiciendis qui. Quidem tempora quo beatae. Ut sunt dolore enim est aliquam et. Impedit nostrum tempore illum id alias officia eveniet totam. Ad tempore nihil facere voluptatem neque veniam in possimus.

Voluptas optio iure facilis veritatis et. Dolorem rerum eligendi ea. Labore soluta culpa ut quis. Exercitationem fugiat velit molestiae explicabo. Sunt deserunt et minima hic ab sed quia. Incidunt omnis autem et qui sint aliquid. Culpa placeat tenetur quia dolores consequuntur accusamus nulla.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners New 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 01 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 24 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 97.7%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners New 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners 18 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 06 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (148) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”