Public Accounting -> Entrepreneurship -> Business School -> PE??

Hey Guys,

Putting out some feelers, and would be interested in hearing about your thoughts.

A bit of background: I graduated in 11' from a large private institution in Southern California. Took a gig upon graduation with a Big 4 accounting firm. was there for just under 2 years - was definitely not a fan of being an auditor. Shortly after, i decided to join my mom in her business venture. she had been in the apparel manufacturing sector for almost two decades. Over the course of those next 4 years, i helped her create a new segment of her business in E-Commerce - which had since become a integral part of her overarching business. Though we've enjoyed some modest success during those times, I had ultimately decided that I had wanted to go back to B-school.

The logic for this was three-fold: 1. my mom was nearing retirement 2. our industry/product category was extremely competitive (CPG has very low barriers to entry), and geopolitical factors and globalization started to really take a toll on our operations 3. I had always been curious about other career paths (mainly PE as I had several close friends working in that realm, and loved hearing about their work), and wanted to build up technical skills that i had lacked (ranging from modeling to stats)

After some soul-searching and wrestling with the GMAT, I applied to several programs in the 10-20 rank range as i was pressed for time, I wanted to maximize my odds.

Ultimately, i was accepted to and subsequently matriculated to a top 15 program (in the 10-15 range). During the summer prior to the start of the MBA program, I was able to secure an internship with a lower-middle market private equity shop (typical targets of ~25MM). After a summer of grinding and learning the job and industry, I realized that I loved the work. I was lucky to have been offered by the shop to continue working for them remotely during the first year of my b-school (an offer which i graciously accepted and currently am immersed in). Though I love the work, and the guys on the team, I'm uncertain as to if I may work for them Post-MBA. (they've just deployed the capital for their Fund II and everything is up in the air as far as their potential success)

So my program is just about to start in the coming weeks. I'm faced with a dilemma as far as structuring my recruiting efforts. I'm considering the following options:

1. Recruit for IB for the upcoming SA role (my school has historically sent alums to JPM, DB, Jefferies, etc.
2. Recruit for a local, or another PE shop.....but ideally upgrade in terms of fund size, recognition
3. Consider recruiting for MBB consulting (this option will be more difficult than option 1 (based on what i gathered from talking to alums, etc)

I would like to build a career in PE ultimately.

what do you guys think?