HELP : GS vs CD&R, London

I have to choose between 2 FT analyst offers (graduate) in London: - GS IBD (TMT) - Clayton Dubilier & Rice (private equity analyst in the investment team)

I know the question refers to M&A vs PE, but this is also very tricky to me.

CD&R is a strong PE fund, but mainly in the US where as in Europe they invest less. GS is the top IB. I do not realize how much it could be valuable to get it on my resume.

What would you choose and why?

23 Comments
 

London is a good office. Where do you want to be long term? CD&R is fine to cut your teeth at. Do you want to do European PE?

 

I think I want to work in PE on the long run. But don't you think after GS I could go to a MF? I do not realize how difficult is it to break into MF

 

If you want to stay in PE, then take CD&R. Even though it might be not a MF, it is highly relevant experience and will position you very well to exit to a MF if that's your goal after 2-3 years. GS might open more doors if you want to leave finance, but as long as you want to do PE, CD&R will be a great starting point.

 
Best Response

Depends whether you would rather be one of dozens (to hundreds) of GS/MS/JPM (/BB) analysts in Europe or one of the 10 people that have a similar upper MM / MF PE analyst position across the continent.

Should be a no brainer in my opinion.

Edit: assuming you want to stay in PE (be MF or non-MF large cap) / HF - if you are not sure and might switch the industry i agree that GS gives you a broader set of exit opportunities

 

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