Big4 IB -> FO (Co-investments) -> IB?

I am an undergrad from a Tier 2 college. Post graduation, I landed a job in front-office Big 4 IB where I worked for 1.5 years. From there I landed a job with a European fund focusing on co-investments along with GPs where I have completed two years as a pre-MBA analyst.

As someone who does not want to pursue an MBA, I feel like I am left with limited options. Limited funds are willing to look at my profile for a track role. And getting into another pre-MBA role feels futile after 4 years after graduation.

Should I transition back to IB where I can secure an Associate role. Or should I opt for a pre-MBA role in the hope for a convert. I am okay going back to IB given the lack of velocity of deals in my current role.

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

What exactly do you mean by Big 4 IB? I know technically some of them have IB groups but what kind of stuff were you actually doing?

Since you were an Analyst at a fund, you simply need to look for pre-MBA Associate roles at other funds - if you like the space then I don’t see a reason why you’d think it’s futile or would consider going back to IB. That is, unless you think the brand value of going to a legit bank would be helpful to you. But secondaries and FoF is a small enough world that having that experience already should set you up pretty well to just lateral as an associate and move up. 

 

Facilis esse velit excepturi repellendus quaerat. Sed et consectetur est natus. Iure fuga repudiandae maxime qui et et sed.

Ut deleniti labore autem qui sunt incidunt dolor. Omnis vitae voluptas molestiae. Dolorum enim architecto est quos eius eos. Sint rerum eos asperiores dignissimos est. Nihil voluptatem similique sunt consequatur libero veritatis provident.

Rerum natus exercitationem optio nobis quia non qui. Et quo placeat nulla est qui necessitatibus. Facilis qui deserunt voluptas voluptas quisquam magni rem. Aliquid ipsum aliquid itaque similique.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (413) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”