Military Pilot to PE
Hello everyone, I’m currently a pilot in the Air Force looking at leaving active duty in a couple years. I’m very interested in PE, but know it will be a very uphill battle given my background. I’m open to getting an MBA or skipping that altogether. If I do get an MBA, I know that IB Associate to PE can be a tough round. What do you suggest I do to put myself in the best possible position?
Transitioning from a military pilot role in the Air Force to a career in Private Equity (PE) is indeed a unique path, but it's not impossible. Your military experience has likely equipped you with leadership, discipline, and analytical skills, which are valuable in the PE sector. Here are some steps and considerations based on insights from the Wall Street Oasis community:
MBA as a Bridge: An MBA from a top-tier program can serve as an excellent bridge to the world of finance, especially PE. It not only provides the necessary financial education but also opens up networking opportunities. Schools with strong ties to the finance industry should be your target.
Investment Banking (IB) Experience: Gaining experience in IB, even as an associate post-MBA, is a common and effective route into PE. It helps you develop a solid foundation in financial modeling, deal structuring, and market analysis. While it's a challenging path, it's well-trodden for a reason.
Networking: Start building your network in the finance world as early as possible. Attend industry conferences, join finance-related groups, and connect with alumni from your prospective MBA program who are in PE. Your unique background as a military pilot can be a great conversation starter and help you stand out.
Financial Modeling and Analysis Skills: Strengthen your financial modeling and analysis skills. There are online courses specifically designed for those looking to break into PE, such as those offered by Breaking Into Wall Street and Invest Like the Street. These can be valuable even before you start an MBA.
Understand the PE Landscape: Familiarize yourself with the PE industry, including different types of funds, investment strategies, and the current market environment. This knowledge will be crucial during networking conversations and interviews.
Veteran Programs: Look into veteran transition programs offered by financial firms. These programs are designed to leverage the leadership and analytical skills of veterans, providing a pathway into various roles within the finance industry.
Internships: If possible, secure internships in finance-related roles while pursuing your MBA. This hands-on experience can be invaluable and make you a more competitive candidate for PE roles post-graduation.
Showcase Transferable Skills: Highlight the skills and experiences from your military career that are transferable to PE, such as leadership, risk assessment, and decision-making under pressure.
Remember, while the path from a military pilot to PE is challenging, it's your unique experiences and perspective that can ultimately make you a valuable asset in the PE industry.
Sources: Life after 2 years in Private Equity, Ask me anything - Non Traditional Background to MM PE to H/S/W, Private Equity vs. Venture Capital in 2018, Transitioning Veteran Advice Please, From Private Equity Associate to VP in Private Equity
Hey man. A lot of people are going to say that you can’t do this. What they mean is it’s going to be hard. I’ve done about every transition that “you can’t do,” and they’ve been hard transitions but not impossible.
First thing to focus on is maximizing options. While you’re still active duty, I would prep application material for business schools so that you have it as an option. Take the GMAT, gather recommenders, etc.
Next, I would identify some of the veteran transition programs at investment banks. Goldman has the most well known called Veteran Integration Program. Other banks have rolled out similar programs. Make sure you’re getting apps in for this.
IB recruiting is not like the military. You can’t apply and sit back and wait for the process; it’s very reliant on networking. I’d pay for a LinkedIn premium subscription. You can then filter by investment bankers who were in the military. There’s a lot of them. And then you can start your outreach.
The choice between doing one of these integration programs and b-school will be very situational dependant. Is it Goldman VIP vs Northwestern or Bank of America vs Harvard? Very different choices.
For context, I’m graduating b-school this year and heading to LMM PE. I’ve seen many vets do the same from my program. It is doable.
I really appreciate the thoughtful response. I’m under no illusion that it will be easy. I’ve taken the GRE already got a 334. Are those that get to LMM PE doing so without financial background?
Solid score. Last I checked, the average for most schools was 163/163.
Some military guys did Blackstone MINT program before b-school. A couple will go back full-time. I know several guys, including myself, going to LMM / MM investing roles. Military guys in b-school can walk into PE Ops roles which can be quite lucrative too.
Bro has one of the sickest jobs in the world and wants to leave it for one of the most mind numblingly boring, soul crushing careers full of insecure losers lol
Unfortunately I have medical issues or I would be at an Airline next lol
I am getting out after 4-5 years of active duty and going directly to an IB analyst job because my goal is to get to PE. I went through FT analyst recruiting and told myself if I struck out, I would go the MBA route. Not sure how old you are, but there are multiple solid MM banks (Baird/RJ/HW/WB) and tons of LMM banks who like veterans and are open to taking older analysts (late 20s/early 30s).
Reach out to vets who are post-MBA associates at those investment banks and get their thoughts. I started networking 12-18 months before FT analyst recruiting (typically July-September with a start date the following summer) kicked off. If you strike out, fall back on the MBA. It is tougher, but doable.
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