Hi everyone,
I’m 23 and recently completed my finance MBA right after college. I’ve always wanted to run my own business someday and know that’s something I have to pursue at some point. I’ve been job hunting for a while and looking at different career options both inside and outside the finance world.
I just got two really interesting job offers:
Option 1: Investment Fund Analyst — Well-known firm where I’d work on both operational improvements and deal sourcing. These are exactly the skills I want to develop. The role could also open doors to investment banking later through their connections. My long-term dream is to own and manage multiple businesses, so this seems like a solid foundation.
Option 2: Early Employee at Tech Startup — New company started by a billionaire entrepreneur who has built several successful companies that went public. I’d work directly with him, the CEO, and one assistant, learning about business finance and daily operations. I’d be the 11th person to join the team. Amazing access to leadership and a chance to learn fast in a unique mentoring environment.
Both jobs could help me reach my entrepreneurial dreams but through completely different paths. I’m struggling to choose between the traditional, well-respected investment fund route (great skills and future options) versus the more unpredictable but possibly life-changing startup opportunity.
Anyone here taken similar paths? Especially curious to hear from people with entrepreneurial goals. What choice would you make?
Honestly? Flip a coin and see how you feel when it lands! Your gut reaction will tell you everything. Both paths lead to success - trust your instincts here!
lol everyone’s acting like either choice guarantees success. Reality check - most investment fund analysts don’t become the next Warren Buffett. They become middle managers pushing PowerPoints forever.
That “billionaire mentor”? He’ll probably treat you like a glorified coffee fetcher and take credit for your ideas.
Both options sound overhyped, but I’d pick the startup. Watching someone else’s company implode teaches you more about business than any MBA. When it crashes, you’ll have war stories instead of another boring finance resume.
This brings back memories! Started at a big investment firm thinking it’d fast-track my entrepreneurial goals, but spent two years shuffling spreadsheets. Those “connections” everyone mentions? Most aren’t interested in helping some junior analyst’s side project. Here’s what I wish someone had told me - the startup gives you something impossible to find elsewhere: watching someone build from scratch in real-time. Risky? Sure, but you’re 23! I switched to a smaller company later and learned more in 6 months than the previous two years. The billionaire factor matters too - these people think differently about risk and opportunity. Just make sure there’s actual equity or a clear growth path. Don’t be another warm body.
I’d go with the startup, but with some big caveats. I faced a similar choice early on and don’t regret taking the entrepreneurial route. Working directly with a proven serial entrepreneur is like getting a masterclass you can’t buy anywhere else. You’ll see how they make tough calls, pivot when things go wrong, and handle daily crises—stuff that normally takes decades to learn. But dig deeper than just their success stories. Do they actually develop people, or just burn through talent? Talk to former employees if you can. Also, make sure their industry connects to where you want to go long-term. The investment fund will always be there. Those structured programs and fancy credentials aren’t going anywhere. But this startup chance? That’s now or never. At 23, you’ve got plenty of time to bounce back if things crash and burn. The connections and real-world knowledge could be game-changing. Just make sure this entrepreneur actually mentors instead of just expecting you to grind 80-hour weeks without learning anything meaningful.