Mid-career accountant to MBA to IB/PE?
I am in my mid-30s and have completed CA and CFA. My experience is largely in accounting - including 12 months in Transaction Services (Due Diligence).
My ultimate career goal is Private Equity. Would be awesome to get there directly. Getting there via IB first would be great too.
Question is, can an MBA help my chances with either at this stage (recruiting, networking, knowledge)? And if so, are part time or EMBA programs effective?
I don’t have first hand knowledge, but I believe OCR, look for traditional 2 yr MBA students.
EMBA are almost useless for career switchers. Non IB/PE/HF background to MBA to PE is also almost impossible (at least at the shops worth working at). MBA to IB is possible but you better apply quick, cause you will be 34+ when you graduate. You also need to get into M7.
Obviously anecdotal, but my group hired an EMBA career switcher for a post-MBA associate role recently. Definitely rare, but not impossible.
MBA-> IB -> PE is low probability - it’s been done but it will be tough and most likely by MM find somewhere in the Midwest. I saw a couple of folks manage to do it directly after M7 MBA in the Midwest using their personal network, but again it’s tough, especially at your age.
Sounds like I'm up against it, insofar as getting into PE, whatever I do.
Re getting into IB at least, I'd probably aim to complete a part time MBA (at a top-ranked institution) within 2 years. So would be 37 graduating. Realistic to recruit for Analyst/Associate positions at banks then?
part time does not get as many looks. 37 is on the high side for sure but do-able, I think. Do you really want to grind 70+ hours a week at 37 though? That's also a questions recruiters will be asking themselves.
Fair question, but I'm already used to long hours in TS. And I'd enjoy IB work more.
Tbh though, I'm not stuck on BB. At this stage, I'd also be fine with MM firm with good culture also. It's the work I'm interested in, not the "prestige".
MM hours are not necessarily much better. But anyway, you should give it a shot if that's what you want. Just remember than most MBAs cut people off by 35ish so should probably apply sooner rather than later. Just keep in mind full time MBA>part time MBA>EMBA for your purposes.
Why do you want to get into PE?
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