Chicago Middle Market PE firm

I just got an offer from a middle market PE firm (basically a family fund). It would be a great position, lots of room to grow and a ton of responsibility off the bat. The people seem really great and they are definitely enthusiastic about me joining the team. They are looking to put to work $100 million each year and just made an $80 million investment this morning, so the flow doesn't seem bad. I'm just not sure if I want to stay in Chicago.

So, if I am a female investment banker at the head of my class at a middle market bank in Chicago, am I settling for the first good offer I have received or being smart in a really tough market? Part me just isn't sure if there are jobs out there for me in NYC or San Fran, so I would hate to pass up this opportunity just for sake that it is in Chi-town.

Any advice? Thanks.

6 Comments
 

Something along the lines of Seidler? I'd say if you like it then you should take it. I don't really see why you wouldn't, is there something that's giving you second thoughts?

I think it'd also leave the option to go to B school with buyside experience and use the experience to interview with the megafunds if that's what you want in the end.

 
Best Response

I think I would definetely take this opportunity. As you mentioned the job market is super tight and if you aren't worried about putting off moving to NY or SF for a few years then jump on this.

As a previous poster said, you could leverage this experience and business school to grab a spot at a megafund in NY. In addition to having that MBA and that previous buyside experience if you do a great job that family just might follow you to your new fund and put up some money, which would probably be somewhat impressive if you could roll into a new job and have people that would put money up.

Ultimately I think many people are scrambling right now and wishing they had any opportunity, much less one they can say, "It would be a great position, lots of room to grow and a ton of responsibility off the bat. The people seem really great and they are definitely enthusiastic about me joining the team." Honestly, you probably have plenty of time to live where ever you want, taking the opportunities when they come along will give you the time and money to live/work in those places and enjoy them to the fullest.

With all that said, if they are looking for an undergrad (graduating in May 09) with a some PE and VC experience to help place that $100MM let me know, I'm shopping around for a place to hang my hat.

Good luck.

Regards,

Chris

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
 

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