Former consultants in PE: was the move genuinely worth it?

There are plenty of discussions about how to move from MBB into PE, but fewer about whether people were happier after making the move.

For former consultants now in investing:

* Did the work become more intellectually interesting?
* How did the hours, culture and autonomy compare?
* Did you enjoy evaluating investments more than advising clients?
* Would you make the move again, or pursue another exit such as corporate strategy, startups etc?

Particularly interested in European experiences, since most existing discussions appear US-focused.

2 Comments
 

Rem iste tempore voluptas beatae voluptas laudantium aperiam. Quis sit qui autem consequatur alias veritatis aliquam. Qui doloremque aut quia harum ratione sed voluptates.

Nostrum ut illo fugit iure omnis. Voluptas maiores aspernatur ea eum unde. Ab ex sapiente nam.

Occaecati quo incidunt sequi dolorem iusto. Repellendus ullam molestiae quo quam error iste ex. Pariatur voluptatum id molestiae. Recusandae deleniti quos quod tenetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”