Incoming CB SA — Advice on FT Recruiting

Hey everyone, 

I'm an incoming CB SA at a large Canadian bank (think TD/ RBC). The role is rotational across a few different coverage groups under the broader CIB division, so there's a lot of interaction with IB and product teams throughout the summer.

I'm pretty set on trying to break into PE or Growth Equity in the long run, which has me thinking about FT recruiting. I’d love some advice on how to approach this, specifically, when to start networking, how to position myself without coming off as annoying, and whether it's even realistic to think about lateral IB or buyside exits from a CB starting point.

If anyone’s been through something similar, I'd really appreciate hearing your experience or thoughts. Thanks!