Associate in PE or path to VP in Banking?

Anybody ever leave banking as an AS2 for an AS1 seat in PE? Or considered leaving but stayed in banking? Realize there is are more factors to consider, but looking for perspectives considering the below:

  • this is a title and pay hit from where I would be at
  • trajectory is not as clear, would be VP in 1/2 years for banking
  • have to go back to the bottom of the totem pole, after having analysts underneath me for a few years
  • I know I don’t want to be in Banking for my career, I hate it and am burned out as well- but I do appreciate the stability and clear growth trajectory over time (and am good at the job). I just haven’t found the right position to leave for
  • slightly older having joined banking later. Meaning I would be an associate into my early 30s in PE
  • I think I would find the work in PE more rewarding and interesting, and I like the people that I spoke with at the shop

Anything might be helpful, thank you.

4 Comments
 

Am in a similar situation, but I’m actually considering pivoting to PE as an ASO3. Sorry just to add one more item to OP’s list - if we were to decide PE wasn’t for us after a couple years, how would the time in PE transfer to IB if we were to go back into banking? Assuming it would count for something, but curious if it’d be only fractionally considered..

 

I have occasionally thought about the IB-> PE -> IB arc myself and always settle on staying in PE. Didn’t spend long in IB and have now been in an investing seat for longer than I ever worked in banking. Most of my current work is so different from what I used to do in IB that at this point it would be difficult to quickly plug back into a fast-paced sell side role. Fundamentally do you know whether you like selling or buying better?

 

It also depends on your long term. Do you still want to work in a fast paced finance environment in 10 years? If not, cash out in banking and then exit. If yes, do the PE route as it pays out long term.

Consider it also depends on various other personal priorities: current comfort vs new environment, the need to proof yourself, money vs wlb, type of tasks you want to work on

 
Most Helpful

Assumenda qui et fugiat optio eos. Et voluptatem aut sed earum praesentium quidem.

Cumque aspernatur nemo sint aspernatur nesciunt rerum. Velit qui perspiciatis aliquam qui deleniti. Quae repudiandae fugiat dolor modi et molestias. Quasi iusto velit rem.

Ab sunt nemo maxime quisquam. Aliquam earum neque ut animi quas corrupti. Eos assumenda et non amet provident. Earum dolores consequatur nobis veritatis dicta. Laborum qui nemo dignissimos id distinctio.

Sit magni saepe qui commodi maiores veniam. Adipisci corporis nemo eaque. Placeat consequuntur assumenda dolorem perspiciatis ut. Dolor in laudantium iste a. Aliquid architecto tempora ea.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”