Better career path: associate at REIT or small PE shop?
I am currently a 3rd year acquisitions associate/analyst at small repe shop ($240m in assets, currently raising $40m fund) and received and unsolicited offer at a well regarded reit for the same role. I like my current job where I am involved in all aspects of the company, including acquisitions, asset management, financing, disposition, and due diligence, as well as the opportunity to get onto the deal sourcing side very soon. At the reit I would be the most junior on the acquisitions team and my job would be more confined to Argus modeling and due diligence because of the corporate structure. There is also limited room for promotion so i would have to move again in 2-3 years most likely.
I am looking for some advice on what opportunity you think could open more doors? Being essentially an analyst for a few more years at the REIT does not necessarily excite me, but if having a top REIT on the resume would open more doors down the line than having a deal sheet at the small repe shop it might be worth running the numbers for a few more years. I would be working on much larger deals in better markets. Thanks in advance to any who reply!