How can I transition from a Liberal Arts undergrad, working for my family's business, to a PE firm?

I'm a graduate from a good Canadian university with a liberal arts degree, intending for most of my life to go into law. Unfortunately, I realized quickly (though at least it was before I was actually in law school) that I hated law. While trying to figure out what it is I actually enjoyed, I worked with my family managing our real estate assets. It's fine, I suppose, though not challenging and has no room for actual growth. In my spare time I began reading up on finance and started actually investing on my own and I do enjoy it a fair amount.

I'm interested in trying to work in private equity, but I'm wondering if it's even possible. I have the unrelated bachelors (and a not great GPA, like a 3.0, though I do have good LSATs), no related experience, living in Canada so there are fewer firms/openings, and even my work requires no financial modelling. How unrealistic is it? What steps can I take?

3 Comments
 

Est voluptatem non quam atque. Qui libero vel assumenda hic nulla sit sunt. Repudiandae vero dolorem illum ut sapiente qui.

Odio laboriosam reprehenderit minus sint impedit. Dolor suscipit ad non deleniti laudantium.

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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”