I am a student at Wharton and I was wondering what are the benefits of doing PE out of undergrad? There are a few firms that recruit actively at Wharton (Silverlake, BX, Oaktree, LGP,etc.), and I was wondering if it would be better to start at one of these places over your traditional IB route. Also want to mention that my long-term interest is staying within the realm of Investing.
Thanks!
| +89 | Nothing to do at work & bored to hell | 9 | 1d |
| +67 | Do people over-index on 'moats' | 22 | 17h |
| +52 | Predicted Net Worth in Trodden Finance Path by 60? | 20 | 1d |
| +44 | Biggest (avoidable) failures in PE Investments? | 25 | 19h |
| +38 | Why is ROIC never really a topic when looking at companies IRL | 11 | 4d |
| +24 | What do you think of PE Value Creation Careers in 2026? | 7 | 31m |
| +15 | Honest opinions needed about lateraling | 5 | 3m |
| +12 | NY LMM PE Recruiting | 3 | 1d |
| +12 | How to approach Buyside Recruiting | 3 | 5d |
| +11 | Is it too late for me? (Rising College Junior) | 3 | 17h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
if you want to end up in PE eventually, starting there seems like the best thing to do (why spend 2 years in IB just to get into PE if its not needed)
if you're unclear about what you'd like to do (PE, HF, corp dev/strat, etc) then IB would probably be better as its more general and you can spin off into a billion different things
If you let say decide you want to end up at a HF, wouldn't 2 years as a PE analyst serve you better? I know there are many HFs that will only consider individuals with some PE experience. Also, wouldn't the work in PE prepare you better for HF since you are actively looking at investing decisions?
If your end goal is PE then start there but if you are not sure IB can give you more optionality. However, I think going forward the difference is becoming smaller and now even if you start in PE at a top firm you have plenty of options as well.
Thanks! Makes sense, would you say IB gives you more optionality within Finance / Investing or is it more so outside of Finance (Corp Dev, etc.)?
Outside of finance. But I would say that nowadays with the training programs of the top PE firms you can do the same coming from PE
Haven't most of the PE shops you've listed already finished recruiting?
Quia ipsum cumque distinctio mollitia maiores eius. Quos ratione illo porro. Vero dolores voluptas quia ex. Aliquid tempore rerum praesentium enim non. Recusandae est architecto doloribus rerum quo beatae quos. Sit est accusamus voluptates repellendus ipsum. Omnis dolor velit ratione maiores rerum dolorem voluptas.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...