How pigeonholed are you in a PE industry group?

It looks like a lot of the larger PE funds (MF and UMM) place you in a specific industry group rather than being generalist and it looks like a lot of the MM funds are either industry specific or are technically generalist but only operate in a few industries. How trapped are you in that specific industry for the rest of your PE career? If you do TMT PE pre-MBA or you stuck with only TMT roles post-MBA? If you try and lateral is it the same? I'd imagine a partner would be pretty stuck, but more along the lines of pre- and post-MBA associate roles as well as VP to what extent is that true?

8 Comments
 

I don't think you will be limited as long as you have a good reason if you are talking about traditional LBOs. I moved from SaaS to a generalist role.

At the late stage/buyouts, the financial modeling is similar with some variations, and usually at a junior level if you can show that you can learn then you shouldn't worry. I have seen some people move from SaaS to healthcare as HC is becoming more tech-oriented. I have seen people move from industrial / business services to SaaS and from oil and gas to insurance/fin services.

Ofc, it's good to have industry expertise around regulations and such but at junior to mid-level they want you to grind on the models and write memos. 

 

Est aperiam omnis sequi sit sint. Modi totam alias suscipit blanditiis sit. Ducimus non consectetur et consequatur quidem.

Dolorum sed dolor tenetur ut fugiat. Quis voluptatibus distinctio libero beatae ut officia perspiciatis.

Molestiae earum veniam suscipit et magnam. Delectus delectus sequi corporis tenetur culpa. Ut est quia quis tempora fuga animi.

Dolor ullam quis sed consequuntur velit velit qui. Et voluptas recusandae omnis accusamus optio cum. Voluptate nobis corrupti laborum tenetur est eveniet. Corrupti perspiciatis quos qui libero et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 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

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”