Breaking Into PE: How To?

Writing today to hopefully gather some thoughts, insights, and develop a plan of action around how to eventually break into PE. Succinctly, knowing I want to be at a UMM/MF PE firm, how do I get there given my circumstances?

I understand the difficultly of breaking into PE even in the traditional path of two years of IB, two years of PE, 2 years MBA, and back to PE. Even know returning back to PE post-MBA can be difficult. Aware that what I want to pursue is a long shot. With that out of the way, stats and resume are below, along with possibilities I’ve seen scrolling WSO for months. Any and all constructive advice is appreciated.

Resume:
- Double Major in Finance & Economics at T-50 BIG10 University (Graduated in 3 years c/o ‘22)
- Analyst at Regional Equity Research Firm (Not one of the banks, don’t have IB wing; channel check method - roughly ~T20 firm on the street)
LSAT: 178
GMAT: 780
CFA I Completed - Will be taking level 2 in November

Goal:
- UMM/MF PE
- Why? Life circumstances led me to graduate early and be near hometown, otherwise yes, would have done traditional path. Unfortunately, had to make some sacrifices.

Potential How To:
- MIT MFIN to break into IB & then recruit for PE? Somewhat of a do over. Or, MFIN -> IB -> MBA -> PE? Probably extremely difficult with no previous PE experience.
- Ride ER out for next few years before hopefully getting into M7 and trying to recruit PE there? Understand this is very much of a long shot given no prior PE or even IB experience.
- Or, breaking into UMM/MF PE is a dead dream and RX IB is the ceiling for me?

 

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