Are summer associate internships necessary to recruit in PE post MBA?

And how much pre-MBA experience would be required?

MBA is M7 USA but I’m from the UK so happy to recruit in either country. Would really appreciate any advice as trying to make some decisions. Thanks a lot!

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If you have pre-MBA private equity experience, then no - plenty of folks do VC, growth, startups, F500, etc. In a tough job market (like the one we're in now, though it may get better by the time you enroll), it is still safer to intern in PE (and then hopefully get an offer from your summer firm and have a relaxing second year). In my opinion, to get full credit for pre-MBA PE experience you need to have done at least two years as an associate, though maybe others here feel differently.

If no pre-MBA PE experience, then yes, summer internships are essential. In-year internships help too.

 

Thank you so much for replying! I checked and it seems internships are only in year 2 of the MBA - is this always the case or could you re-recruit for the second summer you reckon?

 

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