Regional PE or BB in emerging market

I had a question which I hope someone might have an answer to.

I've been working in Investment Banking for a notable firm in an emerging market for the past 1 yr. Lately some of our top ibankers have left for our private equity division, and I have been invited to join one of the new funds. Please note, funds under management are limited; slightly less than USD 500 mln [which is decent for this region]. Over the past year, numerous top institutions have opened offices here to take advantage of some of the excess liquidity in the region and have been doing well in terms of advisory. Now my question is this: In my shoes, would you make the jump to PE as an analyst, work for 2 years and then go to grad school? Or try for one of the more prestigious firms and stay in ibanking? Which would be the smarter long term career decision?

A final alternative I am considering is moving to Canada (as I can legally work there) and trying for a bank-owned firm or multinational over there within IB.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks all

6 Comments
 

Ok, not knowing which emerging market makes this difficult, but in principle, you should definitely make the move to the pe arm.

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junkbondswapibanalyst - 3 years is not necessarily on the low end for this type of experience...most top schools HBS, Stanford, Wharton are willin to take bankers after their 2-3 analyst stint and PE experience is even better

Well, from what i have both seen and heard, the average age for a bschool student is 28 which equates to 4-5 years post college experience. maybe saying 3 is on the low end is false however...

 
Best Response

Do chances of getting in assuming top GPA, 700+ GMAT, 2 year analyst stint in the M&A group at not GS/MS, but right below that along with 2 years at a middle-market PE shop (manages $1BB in assets)improve? If not those 2 schools, I assume Chicago/Columbia are a bit easier.

I'm assuming there's tons of people with similar credentials, so what's a way to distinguish yourself? I was the president of my fraternity my senior year, involved in few clubs for my major, and participated in intramural sports. I plan to do some volunteer work once I make the move to PE.

 

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