Back - Middle office stability or Front office internship at 27?

Hello my lovely monkeys. I am in a great Dilemma these days. I am 27 years old with Bachelors in Econ and Masters in Finance from non target universities. Right now I am working as a back office analyst in MS in Budapest and I managed to get an internal mobility in Credit Risk - Utilities Sector in MS in Budapest from April. However a friend of mine made me an offer to join in his team as an Portfolio Management Intern in a boutique in Amsterdam ( its the oldest bank in the NL) for 6+ months and he told me that most likely because I will work with 5 funds within the company I will have likely an offer for full time... 

Now my question is.. Do I make the move to the unknown? I mean it is the ultimate chance to get a front office experience  but what if they don't offer me a full time? I am really confused.. I feel that I will take much better experience from the Internship but everyone says is that I discount my self from 2nd year analyst to intern ( I don't see it as a discount to be honest). 

 

Hey there, fellow primate! You've got quite the conundrum on your hands, don't you? Let's peel this banana one layer at a time.

First off, it's great that you're considering all angles here. It's a big decision and it's important to weigh all your options.

On one hand, you have a stable position in Credit Risk at Morgan Stanley in Budapest. It's a solid role, and there's a lot to be said for stability, especially in these uncertain times. Plus, being in a big bank like MS gives you a lot of room for growth and mobility.

On the other hand, you have an exciting opportunity for a front office experience in Amsterdam. It's a riskier move, but as they say, no risk, no reward. The experience you'd gain from working directly with funds could be invaluable, and could open up a lot of doors for you in the future.

As for the concern about "discounting" yourself from a 2nd year analyst to an intern, I wouldn't worry too much about that. It's not about the title, it's about the experience and the skills you gain. If you think this internship will give you a better experience and set you up for the career path you want, then it might be worth taking the leap.

Remember, there's no right or wrong answer here. It's about what feels right for you and aligns with your career goals. So take a deep breath, maybe grab a banana for some brain fuel, and trust your instincts. You've got this!

Sources: In my early 30s with no direction, The best of the back (or middle) office?, Morgan Stanley, Budapest?, Too old to intern at 27 year old?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

How does the intern and FT pay compare with your current gig?

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

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