Experienced M/B/B Consultant > PE Associate?
Background: I'm currently recruiting for M/B/B as an experienced hire (4 yoe, all unrelated to IB). My long-term goal is to work in PE. I eventually plan to do an MBA as well (not opposed to matriculating with 7-8 yoe, though I know this isn't ideal).
My question is if I were to land at Bain, for example, and do some work in the Private Equity Group, would it be possible to recruit for PE Associate positions? I understand this would be seen as a step back in seniority (Bain Consultant is a post-MBA role and PE Associate is a pre-MBA role occupied by people typically 2 years out of college, and if I spend a year or two in consulting I'd have 5-6 yoe by the time I join), but I figure (1) comp would be higher, and (2) more importantly, if I want to recruit for PE during my MBA I've heard it's incredibly difficult to do so without pre-MBA PE experience.
From the PE firm's side, I'd imagine they'd be open to the idea since you're getting someone with more work experience (consultant-friendly firms already hire Associate Consultants from Bain doing PEG work, why not a Consultant doing the same) but curious if I'm missing any reason they wouldn't be open to the idea or why this might be a bad idea in general (beyond being a very old Associate)
Bump
Bump, London market view also appreciated
...
Bump - keen to particularly hear from consultant/manager level (with several years of PE-consulting) moving into PE associate / IM level (even given the downgrade)
As an MBA hire prior to joining the consulting firm or if you’re an undergrad hire who just stayed quite long?
No MBA - c.6 years post-undergrad with 5 years PE consulting experience looking to move into PE
I went MBB (3 years) --> MBA --> MM PE (Associate; started at 27). The path is possible but uphill. With that said, there's implicit bias against anyone looking to become an associate at ~30+ given the demanding hours and awkward age differential vs your superiors (late 20s/early 30s SAs/VPs). Agree chances may be better at a smaller, more open-minded/flexible fund but still difficult.
If your plan is MBA --> MBB --> PE, I'd unfortunately put odds at nearly 0. I have virtually never come across that profile.
Continuing this thread > curious to hear people's thoughts on the following options re probability & external perception (end goal is growth investing, both minority + majority):
1) Move from consulting to a Tier3 / no-name / new buyout fund to get actual investing experience/creds for the CV > aim to upgrade to a better firm/brand once you have 2-3 years investing under your belt (i.e. top consulting brand > poor / new buyout brand)
2) Simply holding out for a top brand and just keep prepping/networking
3) Move to a lower-tier VC then move into a growth-equity/smaller buyout fund after a couple years (moving across asset classes + views on poor brand VC vs. consulting)
Also curious to hear people's views re leveraging your own personal investing / setting up (officially) your own mini/angel fund to prove experience (even if it housed your crowd-funded equities)
Are you MBB now or different? How many interviews have you done and how far have you gotten? You need to get much more practical and a lot less theoretical for any useful advice
Perspiciatis quod beatae sed voluptas. Exercitationem vel adipisci assumenda qui. Aliquid voluptate deserunt ea aut repellendus in.
Suscipit officia corporis sed ad. Vel tempore deserunt sapiente praesentium sed ad sed et. Sunt et ad aliquam at corrupti omnis. Consectetur quibusdam aperiam alias reiciendis id.
Omnis et qui libero repellendus vero. Quis amet totam aspernatur.
Voluptas illo modi vel explicabo. Nulla et repudiandae sunt qui. Quae possimus saepe enim delectus. Quibusdam laborum rem ipsum nesciunt.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...