Experience engineer and business operator, seeking advice to break into PE.

I'm an engineer by trade. In the past 15 years, I grew and led a niche, industrial equipment manufacturing company. We delivered equipment solution to solar, display, automotive and semiconductor OEMs. I recently sold the business (due to issues with partner, market condition, new interests), and completed my executive MBA at the Wharton school, where I graduated in the top 5% with a double major in Finance and Business Analytics. 

At school, I find myself interested in Finance, and believe a career in Private Equity would be a good option to leverage my operation experience and the Wharton education. In exploring the open positions, most required years of experience in investment banking. Any advice on how to break into the industry as an outsider?

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