Lateraling After First Year As PE Associate

Hey Fellow Monkeys,


I'm currently an investment banking associate (A2A) who's looking to make the transition to private equity. I currently have an offer from a MM fund who's location / strategy / compensation is less than ideal, however, it presents an opportunity to break into private equity. Would I be better served continuing to recruit and stay in banking for the time being with no guarantee of landing another offer (for context I've been recruiting for 1 year with over 30/40 interviews and this being my first and only offer) or would it be better to take the offer and then after 6 months - 1 year of buyside experience look to lateral?

Appreciate any feedback in advance.

3 Comments
 

I think once you leave banking your optionality timeline shrinks again but it really depends how bad you want to go to the buyside immediately versus being patient

 

Quae omnis id iure est rerum atque. Totam maiores sunt asperiores quidem et nihil tempore. Voluptas voluptas velit harum qui consectetur autem. Dolorum est cumque dignissimos omnis veritatis dolor aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (413) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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...”