How do PE firms view MSF no-name programs

I currently am an analyst in a CMBS rotational program for a b-piece investor and special servicer. However, I am very interested in making the jump to REPE down the road.

I have been looking into a masters in finance program (meets twice a week, 12 month program) at a local no-name college. Does anyone have some insight on how this program would be viewed by potential PE firms? Would them deem it worthless because it's from a no-name college? Do they even value a MSF degree?

Obviously, it will enhance my career from an education standpoint. However, in order to make this degree worth the 25K, I want to know that it will benefit me in terms of salary and job opportunities down the road.

Basically, how would PE firms value this finance degree alongside my CMBS (& distressed debt) experience?

Thanks in advance for any comments.

9 Comments
 

zero help. If you want to do REPE I would suggest a T10 MBA or possibly a really good MS in RE. MIT,NYU,USC all have programs. Cornell has a 2 year degree. The MBA would probably be better for you. That or just try networking your way in.

 

Absolutely will not help, save your money. Real estate employers value relevant experience above all else.

The type of work experience that sets you up for a career in REPE is working for a a direct-equity investor; basically, underwriting the equity portion of the capital stack. But your work exp is sufficient as long as you spent a lot of time running analysis on Argus and Excel.

Also, what exactly do you mean when you say REPE? Because all REPE's are basically direct-equity investors. Do you mean that you want to get a job in the Real Estate side of a brand name private equity group? Because that is a much more competitive side of the business.

--- man made the money, money never made the man
 

I mean ideally i would love to work for one of the brand name PE groups, but obviously they are much more competitive. With limited work experience and coming from a non-target, that route doesn't seem the most realistic at this point in my career. A carlyle or other middle tier firm would be my goal.

Is there anything else I can be doing besides networking to increase my marketability?

 
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