1.3 years post-grad, currently finishing an M&A internship at an unknown boutique (return offer almost granted): is Bulge Bracket / Elite Boutiques/ bigger platforms still realistic?

Hey everyone, long-time lurker, first time posting. Looking for some honest perspective on my situation.

**Background:** 26 years old. I graduated with a Master's in Management from Bocconi (double degree with NHH Norway, one year abroad), with a strong strategy course load and a lot of corporate finance. Bachelor's was from non-target university, but I spent 1 full year abroad studying in the UK plus a 3-month traineeship abroad during undergrad. Finished both degrees with top grades (110/110 cum laude).

The issue is timing: I only decided to pursue IB/M&A *after* graduating. So my path looked like:

1. 6-month Strategy internship at Accenture

2. 6-month internship in Accounts Payable at BNP Paribas CIB (took it thinking it would get me closer to finance — in hindsight not the right move)

3. Currently finishing a 6-month M&A internship at a small, unknown boutique (low/mid-market deals). They'd keep me on if I wanted to stay.

I turned down return offers at both Accenture and BNP because I wanted to keep pushing toward IB.

I'd like to stay in advisory (Global Banking / M&A, not Markets), and ideally maximize long-term comp - so BB, EB or a larger, more established platform than where I am now would be the dream, given bigger deals and better pay.

Currently based in Milan and would primarily target Milan, but I'm open to relocating - London being the obvious one (I might still have pre-settled status valid from my undergrad time in the UK), but also Paris, Frankfurt, or other financial hubs, EU or non-EU.

**Yet I feel stuck.** I'm now about 1 year 4 months out of my Master's, which feels late for the "normal" entry routes. A few open questions:

* Given this timeline, is a jump to BB/EB/larger platforms still realistic, or should I recalibrate expectations toward strong middle-market/boutique names?

* Would it make more sense to accept the offer at my current boutique, build 1–2 years of solid analyst experience, and then try to lateral? How feasible is lateral hiring realistically for someone at my level, or is it mostly a myth?

* Or would I be better off trying to do *another* internship at a bigger name, even at this stage, to "reset" my entry point?

* I assume I'm past the window for off-cycle programs given I already graduated. Is that correct, or are there exceptions?

* Is networking still worth investing in heavily post-graduation, or is that game mostly won/lost while still in school?

Not trying to be falsely modest — I don't think my CV is bad — but I know I'm behind the typical BB timeline given how I got here. So I am trying to figure out whether to stay put and grind it out, restart the internship track, or push hard on lateral moves/networking now.

Would really appreciate input from anyone who's navigated a similar "decided late" path, or anyone on the hiring side who can speak to how this kind of profile actually gets evaluated.

Thanks in advance!