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
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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
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