Breaking into PE/UMM from a non-traditional background - advice needed!

Hey monkeys

I'm reaching out for advice and guidance. I recently completed an internship at a non-American bank, but unfortunately, none of the analysts in my group received a full-time offer. As we all know, the recruitment environment is tough right now.

I'm currently exploring other opportunities, including startup and corp dev roles. However, my ultimate goal is to break into PE or UMM eventually.

My plan is to start networking with investment banks and their groups late spring to early summer. I hope to land a role at a BB/EB/MM firm in NYC or as close as possible. From there, just keep grinding and break in eventually to PE

However, the more I browse LinkedIn and other posts, the more it seems like a pipe dream. It appears that most people in PE firms come from traditional routes, such as top-tier banks and universities. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice, tips, or hope to offer?  I am going to grind and keep trying till i cannot but i would like to know that i am not the only one