Life in a small PE group

I'd like to ask you what is the difference between the medium/big groups to the very small ones? Let's say around 10 people...

And yes, I've read the 'why people rather work for megafunds over mm' legendary thread, I'm not really looking for a breakdown of every sector just trying to understand if in a small group aiming for 1-2 deals @ year I will get to analyze many companies and gain experience in the field or it's going to be significantly lower (compared to guys working for medium/big groups) because of the deal flow/anything else?

I do find a good value working for such a group since I will probably be all over everything and be exposed to a lot of things normally I wouldn't be exposed to this early in my career.

PE is actually something I find very appealing and I'm not looking for exit opps here I'm looking for a place where I can actually get to use my head instead of running numbers the entire day. I'm not saying that I expect to make any investments from day one since I do have a lot to learn about investments first (can't wait for it tho..) but I'd assume it's not as bureaucratic as in the big names most of the guys here jerk to.

Thanks for your help :)

198 Comments
 

In illo libero iure voluptatem. Expedita id facere nulla exercitationem. Voluptas et nihil et consequuntur et quia. Rerum excepturi eos nostrum similique qui.

Qui ut dolor non consequatur velit at. Ipsa ratione qui qui est. Dolor vero rerum ut voluptates maxime. Quia eveniet omnis qui minus minima veniam. Porro quae animi quod praesentium doloribus. Quos iusto vel earum enim optio.

Iste labore consequatur autem. Facere et veritatis ipsa ipsam qui. Dolores corrupti exercitationem eligendi repellendus excepturi. Quisquam hic aut quis id.

Ipsum in labore ipsa architecto sint alias officia. Modi perferendis aperiam eos facilis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 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

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (98) $365
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $62
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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”