Nearly impossible, don't do it. If you wanna move to London PE, especially UMM/MF, start out in London. Dubai is still viewed as second-tier compared to London, and you'll be up against a ton of top talent with London experience, which is what PE funds look for.

 
Most Helpful

I worked in Dubai and know people at all firms.

Don't come to Dubai as your first job. Even if it is with a good firm - unless you have an explicit agreement that you can move internally to a London office, you will find it incredibly difficult to transition to a London based PE role for many reasons which make perfect sense, most importantly market coverage and the fact that they have a HUGE pool of talent with European deal experience to pick from. 

Dubai experience is also sadly discounted somewhat by London/NYC, even at top firms. It really only makes sense if you are a consultant or in a very particular role (e.g., you work at a US/Euro PE shop or HF and are based there - increasingly common).

There is very little risk in doing an internship imo, and getting a good name on the CV. Should help you secure a FT gig in London at a BB/EB, which should be your goal.

 
Pepper Jack

I worked in Dubai and know people at all firms.

Don't come to Dubai as your first job. Even if it is with a good firm - unless you have an explicit agreement that you can move internally to a London office, you will find it incredibly difficult to transition to a London based PE role for many reasons which make perfect sense, most importantly market coverage and the fact that they have a HUGE pool of talent with European deal experience to pick from. 

Dubai experience is also sadly discounted somewhat by London/NYC, even at top firms. It really only makes sense if you are a consultant or in a very particular role (e.g., you work at a US/Euro PE shop or HF and are based there - increasingly common).

There is very little risk in doing an internship imo, and getting a good name on the CV. Should help you secure a FT gig in London at a BB/EB, which should be your goal.

Interesting take; agree with you. Think still worth to do the internship 

 

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