How much have you learned after 1 year in PE?
Aimed at 2nd year associates, interested to learn how much you’ve learned after your first year in PE (portco or deal related)? In my second year and my staffing has been less than ideal. Have been thrown from portco to portco and have had very little deal experience. Don’t even know if I can build those lbos from when I was prepping for PE..
Based on previous WSO threads, the learning experience in Private Equity (PE) can vary significantly depending on the type of work and the deals you are exposed to. Here are some insights:
Varied Learning Experiences:
Skill Development:
Challenges:
Advice for Improvement:
Remember, the learning curve in PE can be steep, and experiences can vary widely. It's essential to stay proactive and seek opportunities to balance your skill set.
Sources: How much do you learn as a 3rd year IB Analyst vs 3rd year PE Associate? (How common is a 3rd year in PE?), Q&A: 3rd Year PE Associate ($10bn+ AUM, MBO/LBO, equity, mezz, distressed debt), How to Spend the Next Year in IB to Prepare for PE, Learning Curve as 2nd Year Analyst, My Hours As A First Year Associate in PE
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i have a similar situation. im a second yr ASO but the reason for me is my firm is likely to go under. i also do a bunch of random portco stuff, market maps, some models here or there yes but no deal closed in the last 2 yrs
Honestly similar situation. The work itself for the portcos is interesting but I feel like I’ve not learned as much on the finance side as I expected
i dont even like the portco work lol. its just so tough bc its a bit out of my control and when a recruiter asks what deal ive closed im like idk what you want me to do lol i cant control my bosses being delulu
could you argue that the slower deal volume made the PE grind more tolerable and so you feel more opportune when you are staffed in a live deal?
its not the hours its that i just dont like the work / my team + my fund is shutting down so not much quality / exciting deal work. i dont really mind the hours though
If you haven’t developed your modeling capability after a year in pe that is a problem imo
really a luck of the draw on staffings tbh
Would say my modeling/analysis skill set is good, it’s more now really having process experience
There’s really not that much to it from a process point of view. Wouldn’t stress. Try to see the benefits in the portco work. You’ll be fine. A ringing endorsement from the mgmt team will go a very long way with recruiters
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