I was hoping to gain some advice on the best path of action.
Goal - to join a mid-size PE firm and work as an analyst and ideally have the opportunity to work on the executive team of one of the portfolio companies at a point. (not just stuck behind excel 60hrs a week).
Where I am now - Analyst for a hedge fund, generating trade ideas where I am responsible for any PnL generated. I'm currently in my 20s.
Education:
Bachelors in Finance from a 125-175 ranked school (4.0 GPA)
CFA Charterholder
Very proficient in excel - scenario analysis, extensive financial statement modeling, VBA, etc.
I've been working for a hedge fund for roughly 7 years, 3 of which were as an analyst.
Plan of action I'm hoping to receive feedback on:
- Just start applying to various PE firms
- Engage a headhunter to start looking for me
- Quit my current job and get an MBA from one of the top 5 and then start applying to PE firms - obviously a more costly option
- Start adding to my education without leaving the workforce by starting on online masters (I'd be applying to new jobs prior to completing the master as I'd like to make this move now rather than in a few years) from something like:
* Columbia's Masters of Applied Analytics
* NorthWestern's Master of Predictive analytics
* Masters in Computer Science with a focus on Machine learning from GeorgiaTech
* Carnigie Mellon's Master of Business Analytics
I'd really appreciate any feedback as this truly feels like a pivot point in my career and any and all information is valued.
Thank you,
Hi BlueElement, whoops, looks like nobody chimed in here.... maybe one of these discussions below is relevant:
Fingers crossed that one of those helps you.
Not really - any way to bump the post?
I'm somewhat junior in the industry to take this with a grain of salt, but i dont think any of those educational programs (outside of an MBA) would be useful.
PE is not going to require any comp sci / predictive analytics training - it's much more about financial modeling (which you should already know), excel problem solving (SKU database analysis, etc...probably OK here as well), and deal process (workplans / data requests, managing third party vendors (e.g. accountants, lawyers, consultants), diligence sessions, etc)
Seven years into your career is also a tough starting point - you dont have enough experience shepherding a deal process to be a mid-level but you're also too experienced / expensive to be an Associate / excel jockey. Unless you're an URM coming out of HBS / Wharton with a brand name HF, i think you'll struggle to find a role outside of the low end of the lower middle market
Thanks for the reply! Yes, this was one of my worries and part of the reason I'm thinking that the attempt to move needs to happen sooner than later.
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