FT PE Analyst from Undergrad

Hey everyone. I've seen a couple of posts like this, but nothing specific to my situation.

TLDR: I want to begin the process of networking/preparing to be recruited as a FT PE Analyst when I graduate, May 2020. Any tips to a college junior in this position will be appreciated! More detail below.

I've accepted an offer for a BB (GS/JPM/MS) Investment Management SA position. This role will be working in their Alternative Investments unit. I've been told I will have exposure to mainly PE investments but also HF and RE. This role is more S&T based and from what I understand, as I will not be structuring deals or creating investment strategies themselves. I wish I had more information to give, but the online description was brief and most of my understanding of this role has come from my interviews. My sophomore internship at a semi-known MM IM had me completing operational tasks for Alternative Investment Managers, so that experience may also be helpful.

I really want to work in PE straight from UG. I was really shooting for an IBD SA this summer, but given the prestige of the firm and exposure to PE, I am still very satisfied and excited for this IM role. Coming from a non-target, I dreamed of working for this firm in even an Operational position. I understand that PE usually recruits from IB, but because this IM role will (hopefully) have lots of PE deal exposure this Summer I hope that I can leverage this experience when it comes to PE recruiting.

If you could answer even one question, that would be very helpful. Here are a few things I'd like to know:

• For anyone working FT PE directly out of UG: How are you in this position? Even more helpful if you came from a non PE internship, or even better a non IB internship
• What should I be doing now, as a junior going in to this IM role, to set myself up for FT PE? I plan to seek out the groups involved in deal-making as a start, but are there any other relevant teams I could be connecting with?
• This may be too early, but I am wondering if I should begin networking with PE associates from target firms (interested in MF but MM is not off the table) or HH?
• Do HH even do UG sourcing for PE, or are do they only recruit from IBD, and leave the PE firm's HR to hiring people straight from UG?
• Would you recommend an internal transfer this firm's PE-dedicated unit (Capital Partners) or is PE at a MF or MM the way to go? Off of this, if I can't go to their Capital Partners unit, I'm thinking pursuing an internal transfer to their IBD following my SA may be the move for a lateral hire when I begin FT a year later.

Sorry if this seems long winded/confusing/presumptuous etc. The advice of the users and team at WSO have definitely been very influential in helping me achieve this SA position to begin with - any additional advice would be even better.