Considerations: Going to IB from infrastructure/REPE
Hey all - hope someone could provide some advice on a unique situation here. I've been working in real estate/infrastructure private equity for a few years now post-graduation and have recently been offered a lateral position to work in M&A investment banking at an EB. I am strongly considering the position as it would open up many of the corporate PE and corp dev opportunities that I'd be interested in. However, I'd have to start as a first year analyst. For context, I'm 24/25 years old - is this too old to consider starting as an analyst?
No, not too old. Although, I’m not sure why you would want to leave real estate or infrastructure PE if you’re at a top shop. Those are probably two of the most promising sectors of private investing looking ahead from a growth/upside standpoint.
IB is quite dull and requires minimal brainpower with maximal hours, I was also in M&A at a top EB. I’m not sure it’s worth going through it for the goal of another PE role or corp dev exit. I would have gone straight to buyside out of UG if I could.
At a mid-market shop, although could probably leave for a larger shop after a bit more time spent here. Also - agree that infrastructure PE is a good play but my shop is more focused on real estate between the two (multifamily, industrial, operating businesses). Real estate is so macro exposed and just not sure about outlook or growth long-term.
The cyclicality of real estate and exposure to macro (although I would argue this exists in some form across all of PE) means there will always be big wins for sharp investors who can decipher its complexity to build a sound thesis. RE lends itself well to those who can invest fundamentally when things get rocky. Infra will never yield the returns RE can hit, but it’s durable and absorbs volatility of the markets. In other words, think you’re in a great seat getting early exposure to both sectors, in my opinion. Both are positioned well for immense growth. If you enjoy it, that should be the most important factor.
I'm curious about this as someone who doesn't know too much about RE or infra, what are the major tailwinds driving the growth you think is coming? It seems like every time PE gets brought up, REPE is seen as this less desirable vertical to be in...
Less desirable to who? Just because Person A isn’t cut out for it doesn’t mean Person B should now believe it brings less value as a career. For me, I would rather stick forks in my eyes than work in healthcare or industrials. But, I wouldn’t discount it as a valuable career for other people who find interest in it. Don’t forget WSO is in majority a bunch of college kids who haven’t yet learned to think for themselves (nothing wrong with this at that age).
There are many answers for why infra or why real estate, I suggest you do your own research on that. But, to summarize a personal one very broadly: real assets are AI-proof, and the value of this will grow as the # of investments that can be classified as such continues to become more scarce.
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