Is it worth it to skip the sell-side experience?

Hi, I received multiple offers, and it would be really helpful to get some advice on which one to take. One is an off cycle internship at a mm private equity firm. My other offer is from the sell side, which is an analyst role from a BB in their m&a division, and this will be full-time. Taking my offer from the BB would be a safer bet, given that it's full-time, but my ultimate career goal is to land in a buy-side role. I am unsure about skipping the sell-side experience and jumping straight into the investment side, as this isn't very conventional. Any thoughts on what would be a better choice?

9 Comments
 

Would need someone to confirm this but I was lead to believe that private capital advisory roles tend to lead to ir or FoF roles long term. Or at least that’s the conclusion I came to when I was researching for an interview. The other one gets your foot into a pe firm and there’s already a precedence that am roles can help you pivot into buyside roles.

 

Is one SA and one FT? If so, are you graduating early, taking on a masters etc? That is also something to consider. I wouldn't delay grad and spend more $ on a masters for the first role unless it's your dream job/firm.

On equal footing, I'd take the secondaries role but arguments can be made for both. Private capital advisory is not a traditional M&A group and buyside exits are a bit limited because of the scope of the work.

 

How hard is it to go PCA first year then lateral to IB M&A or coverage group for second year? Thanks!

 
Most Helpful

I would really not recommend doing SA and a gap year. You are setting yourself up for potential problems down the line, not a good idea when you have a perfectly good FT offer already.

Most firms do not allow you to do an SA and gap year, you have to do a masters or delay your undergrad program. The FT program has specific grad dates to be eligible, you have to have graduated between December and June before you start - so currently you won't be eligible. If you really don't want to do a masters, extend grad until december and just take the spring gap semester.

That aside, if you do the SA and don't get an offer you are totally screwed having already graduated and not having a job

 

Sed cupiditate sequi beatae voluptatum illo. Sit dolor architecto voluptates corporis aut inventore. Maiores fuga aut consequatur nihil dolor dolores. Dolore eaque autem perferendis ut incidunt quasi. Ea est eos qui est. Accusantium est et libero.

Maiores quaerat eligendi aut totam hic et aut. Soluta earum expedita quo illo consequatur doloribus. Voluptatem nesciunt officiis itaque consequatur temporibus. Ut delectus pariatur delectus unde hic doloremque aut corporis. Distinctio corrupti commodi qui. Molestiae eius ipsa voluptatum sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 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

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (274) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $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

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...”