How to move to IB /PE infrastructure

For a bit of context I have a BA Hons in international business and a masters in Data Science from a non target. I started as a business intelligence analyst at a random company, but realised I wanted to pursue finance and didn’t like analytics as much as I thought I did.

I have recently gotten a finance internship at a FTSE 250 infrastructure holdings company specialising in water and wastewater utilities, however my contract says I report to the group compliance and risk manager, so I’m not sure if that means I’m being placed in compliance as I don’t have much information on my day to day responsibilities( in the process of finding out more information about it)

In your opinion what would be the best way to leverage this experience or best course of action to transfer into infra IB or project finance and subsequently PE? If it helps I’m in the UK.

5 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, transitioning into infrastructure investment banking (IB) or project finance, and subsequently private equity (PE), can be a strategic move, especially given your background and current internship. Here's how you can leverage your experience:

  1. Understand Your Role: Clarify your day-to-day responsibilities and understand how they relate to finance. Even if you report to the group compliance and risk manager, you may still gain valuable insights into financial compliance and risk management, which are important in IB and PE.

  2. Network Internally: Use your internship to build relationships with professionals in the finance department. Express your interest in infrastructure finance and seek opportunities to work on relevant projects or shadow team members.

  3. Develop Relevant Skills: Focus on acquiring skills that are transferable to IB and PE, such as financial modeling, understanding of regulatory frameworks, and risk assessment. Your data science background can be a unique asset in analyzing complex financial data.

  4. Pursue Additional Internships: If possible, seek internships in IB or project finance after your current role. This will provide direct experience and demonstrate your commitment to the field.

  5. Highlight Transferable Experience: When applying for IB or PE roles, emphasize any financial analysis, due diligence, or risk management tasks you performed during your internship, as well as any projects related to infrastructure.

  6. Further Education or Certifications: Consider pursuing an MBA or relevant financial certifications (e.g., CFA) if you find that your non-target background is a barrier.

  7. Leverage Your Masters: Your data science expertise can be a strong selling point, as the ability to handle large datasets and perform complex quantitative analyses is increasingly valuable in finance.

  8. WSO Networking Guide: Utilize resources like the WSO Networking Guide to refine your networking strategy, which is crucial for breaking into IB and PE.

Remember, infrastructure is a niche area within finance, and your specialized knowledge from the FTSE 250 infrastructure holdings company can set you apart. Be proactive in seeking out opportunities and continue to build your knowledge and network within the industry.

Sources: [Experience] Road to PE - Investment Analyst in a MegaFund, [Experience] Road to PE - Investment Analyst in a MegaFund, Q&A - Private Equity Internships, Interviewing For Infrastructure Investment Roles, Moving from Asset Management into IB / PE

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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