final round interview! but...

[weflyhigh]

early this summer (end of May) I just started looking around slowly for jobs. applied at just a couple of places, but still wasn't sure what I wanted to do. month or so later a hedge fund near me got in contact. we had a phone interview, two/three weeks after that had a couple face-to-face interviews one day, and then two/three weeks after that (today) I got asked to come in for a final round (which I was told meant 1 or 2 candidates left).

my dilemma however is that recently I started "actually" applying and networking for a job (so am just setting up phone/first round interviews now). my dad called an old friend from college who managed a hedge fund and he set me up with an interview/meeting on Monday at a different hedge fund.
AND I got an interview at Vanguard (one of the largest mutual funds) through my Aunt, but not for a couple of weeks
AND I randomly got an interview at BlackRock (large investment management corp.) next Tuesday


... and I have a first round interview doing "client service support" at an investment software company (you do a 1.5 year training program and then move to a specialty like analysis after) tomorrow. and it's in NYC. I really would love to work in NYC. this is the first time an opportunity in NYC came up though. all of the other positions are in philadelphia.



so any advice? assuming I get offered a position at the first place, I feel like I would love working there. the people all seemed cool, it's near my house (but I can also live in the city), it'd be guaranteed (unlike anything else), and it's doing what I want.

However, maybe working at a large place like Vanguard or BlackRock would be better? The opportunity to advance would be much higher. (but I do want to get my MBA, so I could leave any place I work at eventually for that). but these places are no sure-thing at all. I was an economics major and they typically hire finance and my GPA/financial knowledge is only decent.

I'm afraid that I might like this first place so much because it is the first place to really interview me and it's more safe (guaranteed) than the others. I feel like I might be missing out, however?

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Are these front office or back office positions?

 

[weflyhigh]

Are these front office or back office positions?

the first hedgefund is trading/operations analyst (back office)

Vanguard would be for a program designed for new graduates (where you do a few 6-month rotations in different areas and then get put into one at the end)

the second hedgefund is more of a "go in and interview and talk to people and see what position would work for you" (probably back office)

BlackRock position is "trade operations associate" so I'm guessing back office maybe middle?

 

[the DRIZZLE]

the first hedgefund is trading/operations analyst (back office)

Vanguard would be for a program designed for new graduates (where you do a few 6-month rotations in different areas and then get put into one at the end)

the second hedgefund is more of a "go in and interview and talk to people and see what position would work for you" (probably back office)

BlackRock position is "trade operations associate" so I'm guessing back office

Do you have any aspirations for front office work?

 

[PJABBER]

Take all the offered interviews and ask for more yourself, particularly with the first manager you will be working for, if you need those to become comfortable.

Client service support is usually not a high profile entry job except in firms that do software, where it is only a fit for techies. Not generally a path to being a financial analyst... unless you are talking about being a tech analyst. What do you want to do when you grow up?

BlackRock is a great place to work, good management and lots of interesting projects. Good pay and benefits depending on what you will be doing. Which location? New York is expensive, make sure you are getting a good package including relo if you need it.

Vanguard is a one trick pony but does that well. Very into cost cutting which generally means lower pay and OK benefits. Suburban Philly is OK for family life, not as interesting if you are single.

Hedge funds are all over the board, need more detail to comment. They will put you into the mixer really fast and it is likely to be a make it or out situation. Again, it depends on the role you are being recruited for, though the ease of going into other roles once they trust you. I really advise getting to know your first line management before jumping in as their approach may or may not make your time there worthwhile.