MMPE AN1 looking to transition to IB - Advice Appreciated

Wrapping up a year in MMPE  focusing on buyouts (TEV:250M-500M) and realized the MMPE route is not for me. For personal reasons and preferences, more institutional resources + branding ( and being at a more global brand name UMM/MF) is more important to me longer term.

I've heard that its hard to move upmarket because recruiters view the MMPE Analyst path as unstructured, especially relative to IB programs so I was looking to understand what my options looked like.

1.) Could I start over as a first year analyst at EB/BB IB? If so, what would the best way to pitch myself be and would it be hard to recruit for PE given I already moved from PE->IB once?

2.) Should I stick it out, pursue an MBA and then recruit post MBA?

3.) Should I apply for analyst programs at MF and try breaking in to those?

Any Advice is appreciated!

6 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Similar background to you - moved to IB and it was the biggest career mistake. 

If you are considering this path, I would do a ton of diligence on the bank and the group before you are joining before you make the jump. The group that I moved to had a) complete garbage deal flow and b) gave me 0 modeling exposure, which was the whole purpose of making the move. Also, depending on the fund you are at, you are currently surrounded by the best analysts from banking. When you move back to banking, you are back with the rest of the pack. Imo you can learn more from a quality senior associate at your current fund than a clown MBA associate at whatever bank you're considering joining.

My recommendation is to double down on your current job and learn everything you can from the best associates. Find someone who is willing to mentor you and be a sponge. Work on modeling on the side using Peak Frameworks, Wall Street Prep, etc. Get the associate promote and then consider looking around for other opportunities. After getting  promoted, you can very easily transition to business school after ~2 years of an associate program (so 4 years total PE experience), and you'd be a strong candidate for M7 programs. You can then use that to try to go upstream if you still have the desire to pursue those funds.

Happy to provide more details if helpful.

 

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