Recruiting SA 2025 Advice Needed
Pretty unsure of what do right now and looking for advice. I am at a target non-ivy school for IB and am starting recruiting for SA 2025. One of the main things I am pondering is where to focus my efforts. I have a very real estate focused resume, and have alright connects for Pimco and Blackstone real estate/credit groups. I don't really have that many IB connects, but am trying to network for that. Also looking for a fall/spring internship at a small PE or search fund to potentially negate that. Really worried that my resume isn't corporate finance at all and will make IB recruiting harder. I'm also just unsure of what I want to do long-term. I don't want to pigeon-hole myself with RE/Credit, since IB is way more general/exposure to a variety of markets. Not really sure where to play my eggs in which baskets. Also want to note that I think I'm long-term more interested in VC/PE, and am currently running a start-up business and enjoy it but these skills won't translate well into finance. Obviously I know I'm young and career paths aren't black and white and there isn't a mold to follow, but not really sure what to do. Any advice helps thanks!
If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about “pigeonholing” yourself. BX real estate/credit is a very rare seat for even top ib analysts on the street, if you are interested in it I wouldn’t see why you wouldn’t want to jump a few rungs on the ladder. Real estate is also branch of private equity, just like corporate and infrastructure, you’ll learn that deal mechanics are relatively similar. Even building experience on the credit side of things is like learning the other side of the coin, it’s a great learning experience. I would say between the names on your resume and the potential opportunities you have, I would place your resume above the huge pipeline of IB candidates in general. Just my opinion with some years under my belt.
Hey there! It sounds like you're at a crossroads, and that's perfectly okay. It's great that you're considering all your options and thinking about the long-term.
Firstly, having a real estate-focused resume isn't necessarily a bad thing. It shows you have a niche interest and have gained relevant experience. However, if you're worried about it making IB recruiting harder, you could consider diversifying your experience with internships in other areas of finance.
As for your connections at Pimco and Blackstone, those could be very valuable. Networking is a huge part of landing roles in finance, so don't underestimate the power of those relationships.
If you're interested in VC/PE in the long run, gaining experience in IB could be beneficial. Many PE firms prefer to hire people who have had experience in investment banking.
Lastly, don't worry too much about pigeon-holing yourself at this stage. The skills you learn in one area of finance can often be transferred to another. Plus, it's not uncommon for people to switch tracks throughout their careers.
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all path in finance. It's all about finding what you enjoy and where your skills can be best utilized. Good luck!
Sources: What was your path to a Real Estate Private Equity job? Looking for advice, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/re-recruiting-for-ft-2025?customgpt=1, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/falsely-accused-of-sa-and-need-advice-on-how-to-move-forward-with?customgpt=1, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/my-2-cents-on-sa-recruiting-from-a-non-target-background?customgpt=1
If you’re referring to PIMCO’s REPE that sits in their alternatives division, good luck bc they only take ~4 interns a year
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