Investor Relations Lateral Opportunities

Hi everyone,

I've been thinking about a career pivot into PE IR and wanted to gauge how realistic the chance of breaking in to IR at a MF or upper middle market PE fund given my background and experience.

Some background on myself, I went to a lower semi target state school (think Big10, ACC) graduated Magna Cum Laude and played division 1 sports (not a ton of playing time but didn't ride the bench).

I started my career at a regional investment bank on the west coast working there for about 1.5 years working on primarily sell side transactions. I am now working in wealth management at a wire house (MS, JPM, UBS... ETC) where I am responsible for building out alternative investments portfolios for our UHNW clients and prospecting new business. I have had success in both building alternative assets AUM from inception to lower 8 figures and brought in upper 8 figures in new business for our team after about a year and a half.

After working in the industry, I have learned that I enjoy two things about my job; winning business and selling alternative investments. I want to combine those two things and win business while selling alts hence the desire to move to IR.

I am taking the level 1 CAlA in September and have thought about also studying for the GMAT to get an MBA.

My three questions would be:
Does my background have what it takes to break into IR at a MF?

Is the CAlA or the MBA worth more in the industry?

How and with whom would you suggest networking within the IR industry to create relationships?

Thanks to any help offered!