I recently got into to Tuck to pursue an MBA. I’m keen on utilizing that experience to pivot into PE. For context, I have 1 year of debt capital markets experience along with 4 years as a credit specialist.
I understand that traditionally PE recruits right out of BB banks but was wondering if there are any recruiting opportunities from a school like Tuck with no prior PE experience. Is it possible? And if so, how likely?
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It’s pretty tough. You’re competing for Post MBA spots with people who have plug and play pre MBA experience. In semester / summer internships should be prioritized to get you some experience but even then those roles aren’t viewed the same as having completed an associate stint prior to school.
This might sounds naive but is there something fundamentally difficult or esoteric about being an associate at PE shop prior? Is it that there is an expectation that post MBA, you’ll be more plug and play and there will be less of a ramp up period?
Appreciate this insight and guidance!
Yes, post-MBA you are expected to come in and immediately run deals. Someone with even 2 years experience (+most candidates have an additional 2 years of IB) has likely seen all stages of a deal, can model very well, and would be able to step into a mid/early senior level execution role. Someone with only DCM experience is going to require 2+ years of hand holding. It's just a lack of reps. Even at the largest firms, there's just not enough resources to train senior ASO/VP when they come in with no relevant deal experiences.
I would say next to no chance - Tuck is a nice school, but even if you were at M7 - even HBS - the PE shops will always prefer someone with PE experience and there's a gaggle of them.
You are better off lateraling internally to M&A or coverage and then getting MM/LMM PE looks from there. I would not waste the money on an MBA, the lateral move is very well-tested and if you're open to a small shop you will find an opportunity.
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Long shot to go directly into PE from your current situation. If your long-term goal is to be in PE, one of the highest probability routes would be trying to get into a mezz-like credit fund focused on PE sponsors that also does equity co-investments. The private credit market is still growing and there are lots of funds targeting various segments of the market (LMM, UMM, etc.) You are trying to demonstrate your experience as an equity investor vs a credit investor. Furthermore, if you are willing to move down market for PE in the future, this could also increase your chances of going to PE. It's definitely possible and I believe that if you are willing to be flexible and focus on building your equity-like deal experience, you could have a decent shot in the future. Best of luck!
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