I’ve been a member on this forum for over 5 years now and in that time, I’ve grown a lot. I’ve held several positions and always sought to help others whether on this forum or cold emails from undergrads/investment banking analysts. Now, I seek your advice on what path I should take.
Background: Standard Banking/PE route and currently a Senior Associate at a private equity fund.
Here are my current options:
1) Lateral to another PE fund and seek out a career-track opportunity, much easier said than done. 2) Attend a M7 (non H/S/W) MBA program, which would provide me flexibility should I pursue PE or HF in the future. 3) Re-apply to H/S/W. If accepted at any, I would attend. If not, I would seek to lateral at that time with ~5 years of PE experience or maybe move into something tangentially related.
I’m torn between these options, but currently leaning towards option three. I'm not worried about opportunity cost, I just want to figure out, money aside, what the best decision is.
It’s amazing how things can change in five years, when I was a freshly minted college graduate. For example, I never considered where I truly want to live, and what I’m passionate about… I just focused on getting an IB Analyst gig, then immediately shifted my focus to PE recruiting, then started studying for the GMAT and applying to business school. We’re always looking for the next step instead of enjoying the day to day, and right now, maybe the next step is something off-course.
This is a first world problem. I’m lucky to even be where I am and to have these options in front of me. I would not be where I am without WSO and I’m extremely thankful for all the advice I have received from members on this forum over the years. Thank you in advance!
Thanks for sharing. I'm from - and on - a similar track, probably about 2-3 years behind you. Does your current fund mandate an MBA for promotion or was it open to progression w/o an MBA? It seems strange to have a 2 year stint as a senior assoc w/a strict end. My current firm (allegedly) takes the latter approach, which was a big reason for me signing on.
Sorry I'm unable to add much as I'm not going to pretend to know what being in that stage is like, but I too feel like I'm just passively going along with life, satisfied that I successfully got on, and am on, "the path", and I do get bouts of anxiety sometimes and dread the next big decision tree point in my life. Hopefully other more experienced members will chime in.
It's a tough call. I'm probably about a year behind you on this decision. I would think deeply about why you want an MBA. Sounds like vacation/fun isn't a huge driver for you so the question is will it help your career, which I think is probably a big question mark given where you are today. Finance is a big world and even if you don't land in a traditional career path PE role I would imagine you could get some looks at hedge funds or other players. If you want to leave finance, I see the appeal of the bschool options you outlined a lot better. if not, why delay your life when I'm not sure that Kellogg or CBS will materially impact your job prospects vs. where you are today
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