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What are normal exits after someone who does 2 years in IB, 2 years in PE? I know the MBA is the common step but what can you exit it to if you don’t want to stay in PE or IB? With and without an MBA? Is corporate strategy or Product Management possible without the MBA?

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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are the typical exit opportunities after completing 2 years in IB and 2 years in PE, both with and without an MBA:

With an MBA:

  1. Return to PE: Many individuals return to private equity after completing their MBA.
  2. Corporate Development: This is a common exit, where you can leverage your deal experience.
  3. Strategy Roles: Positions in corporate strategy at large firms are also a viable option.
  4. Product Management: While less common, it is possible, especially if you have a strong interest or background in the industry.
  5. Hedge Funds: Some may transition to hedge funds, although this depends on the candidate's specific skills and interests.
  6. Consulting: Transitioning to a consulting role is also a possibility, particularly in strategy consulting.

Without an MBA:

  1. Corporate Development: Directly moving into corporate development roles is feasible.
  2. Strategy Roles: Similar to post-MBA, you can move into corporate strategy roles.
  3. Product Management: This is more challenging without an MBA but not impossible, especially if you have relevant industry experience.
  4. Industry Roles: Many move into roles within the industries they have been covering, such as operational roles in portfolio companies.
  5. Entrepreneurship: Some choose to start their own businesses or join startups.

Additional Insights:

  • Post-MBA IB Exit Opps: Common paths include staying in banking, moving to PE, or transitioning to corporate development roles.
  • PE Career Path: Many shops expect you to go to business school after 2 years, but some allow you to continue in PE beyond that period.
  • Interesting Exits from Banking: Besides the typical exits, some ex-post-MBA bankers have moved into strategy and business leadership roles, although these are less common.

These paths highlight the flexibility and range of opportunities available after gaining experience in IB and PE, with or without an MBA.

Sources: 2 year PE MF program with MBA requirement - potential exits?, The PE career path, A Few Observations on Investment Banking Exit Opportunities, IB Good Exits - Not so much, Interesting (Post-MBA) Exits from Banking

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Went IB --> PE and considered leaving midway through my associate program for startup (later stage) BizOps / Strategic Finance type roles. Got one offer with decent TC (~300K, ofc 25% of that or so was equity so who knows how much that's worth) but ultimately decided against making the move b/c I wanted to finish out my PE program and am generally concerned with long-term $ prospects post making the transition to the tech and startup scene. 

Would love to hear from others on successful post 2 yrs IB + 2 yr PE moves they made that may be 'outside the box' and done w/o an MBA (as fun as an MBA sounds I worked hard enough to pay off undergrad loans, don't want more student debt...)

 

dang that sounds like a great package, you know if that's common with only a couple years IB/PE? I get the risk associated with the start-up makes you second guess the viability of the role, but wonder if these can be found in more established places that will still clear 200k+ cash. Im a little over 2 years in and will be a senior associate EOY, but starting to debate the long term path of 80 hour weeks in PE and thinking about what else is out there, but the discounts for corporate type roles people throw around are too much to stomach lol.  

 

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