How is pre-MBA PE experience in a different emerging market viewed by MFs and other mid/smaller firms here (in US)?

Something like this:

PE in emerging market--->MBA(say Columbia)

So how is that experience viewed by firms here for hiring for post-MBA PE roles out of top MBAs? I've heard that they value your knowledge of the market here but what if you don't have any? Is that a deal breaker?

Asking this for a friend.

4 Comments
 

"Better than nothing". Can you please elaborate?

Secondly, if the person isn't able to get any PE offers post MBA and they decide to go the IB route instead as a back-up, wouldn't that be viewed as a downgrade? Like PE in emerging market (and this guy has like 3 years experience in PE)--->BB/EB IB post-MBA in US. Wouldn't that raise a lot of eyebrows?

 
Best Response

I'm not sure I fully agree with Harvard_not.equal.yale . It's a valid point that the strategy is different in EM, but that doesn't mean it isn't going to be substantially relevant. You are still evaluating businesses, running a transaction process, negotiating transaction documentation, credit agreements, etc. I would imagine switching post-MBA from EM to DM PE wouldn't be an issue, and it would be akin to shifting to say a MM buyout shop from a more growth oriented shop after MBA. If you want to work at KKR after school, the kid with several years experience at BX is going to have a leg up on you, sure - but your first few years of experience aren't going to permanently lock you in to EM PE.

For reference, I have done a lot of EM PE work, and have considered lateraling. In a relatively short period of time since deciding to explore lateral opportunities, I have gotten several looks from traditional upper middle market and mega funds in the US. Probably helps that I worked at a BB in the US prior to my PE experience, however.

 

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