From Credit Risk Intern to Private Credit / Direct Lending

Hi guys,

Would be interest in getting some advice concerning the kind of internship that would help me secure an offer in Private Credit / Direct Lending (in Paris or London) in fine.

Just a bit of background :

  • French 
  • BSc in Management from target German university (GPA 80%)
  • Programme Grande Ecole (Master in Management + Master in Corporate Finance & Banking) at EDHEC (2.1 so far)
  • Previous internship experience in sales and operational risk management in Luxembourg (during my BSc)
  • Currently interning in Credit Risk at MM investment bank in Paris (for 6 months)

Now looking for a second 6-month internship starting in Jan 2021 (as part of a mandatory gap year). I know that applying to some M&A or LevFin off cycle programs would be ideal but what kind of other experience would get me to the door of a "large" PC/DL investor in your opinion? I am not interested in interning in M&A as I would like to enjoy my 20s. Should it be the only way to break into PC, then I would. But I'm trying to consider other pathways. Any opinion?

Thanks a lot in advance. Have a good one!

Cheers

1 Comments
 

At occaecati vel totam nulla. Quia et aut aut tenetur nobis. Consequatur cumque esse aut deserunt ipsam blanditiis. Id sit non quo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (274) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $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

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...”