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Currently trying to decide which firm to join as an incoming corporate associate. How are we supposed to know what type of corporate group we want if we have had no experience prior to choosing?
For instance, if choosing between:
- V10 (non-NY) handling M&A/funds with PE focus
- non-V10 handling ECVC, public and private M&A, cap markets, etc.
I would like to choose the firm/practice group that offers the most/best exit options down the line as the partnership track is not for me. Any advice?

Is the non-V10 in NYC (and do you want to live there)? Where is the V10, and do you want to live there?

What does "best" mean for you? Do you have work-life balance preferences? Do you have geographical preferences? What type of work interests you? Are exit options that move you outside of legal roles acceptable? Do you have preferences regarding what industries you could exit to? What types of roles?

What was your work experience, if any, before law school, and what did you (dis)like about it?