Post MBA PE?

So let's say I do my 2 years at a BB as an analyst. Then I do my 2-3 years at a UMM/MF. I assume that most firms will require an MBA after that, so let's say I go get one for another 2 years from HBS/GSB. After that where do most former IB>PE professionals go? I've always heard that there are much less post MBA PE positions. It seems that after this many go into Corp Dev or some other type of role but the way I see it isn't that a massive pay cut from the type of money you were making before?

Do PE firms guarantee you a position if you worked for them pre MBA? If not is there a way to make a deal with the firm or someone at the firm so that you can come back after you get your MBA? Do people who did Pre MBA PE generally have a clear path to go back into their PE firm after MBA? Basically IMO unless you go to a hedge fund or something it seems like anything you do post MBA will necessitate a pay cut from the type of money you were making before. In that case doesn't it just make more sense to stay in the IB track and work your way up? Saves the grief of having to spend $ on an MBA too.

I'm basically just asking if it's a better idea to stay in banking because of the guaranteed pay progression rather than go into PE and be SOL when you're done with your MBA. If there's any misconceptions or views I'm not thinking about let me know.

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Probably not much better informed than you, but my general understanding concurs with what you said. Been told that PE associates going into MBAs could have: guaranteed returns, no guarantees, or guaranteed interviews (most common, but are still quite competitive - ~10% chance). Unless the PE firm generally requires an MBA to progress upwards, being sent to an MBA is probably not a good sign for going back. As you mentioned, these people often go into corporate or down-market to a smaller fund, although I'm not sure whether an MBA is really necessary for the latter.

Overall, IMO staying in IB might be a safer path to achieving risk-adjusted, steady pay progression from an IB analyst starting point. I'm just an incoming analyst, but if anything, my current mindset is to stay in IB for the reasons mentioned above.

 

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