34 Comments
 

If you're mainly solving for optionality down the line, M&A most likely wins.

But if you have a genuine interest in Secondaries and don't mind specializing early, Secondary Advisory is a phenomenal place to be atm

Especially the teams at EBs are fantastic: Better WLB than the Coverage teams, excellent pay across all levels, and high dealflow in a continuously growing and evolving asset class.

 
Most Helpful

Coming from someone who worked sell side secondaries at an EB mentioned earlier.

My only concern there was exit ops on the buyside remain limited to secondary funds. But otherwise, on the sell side comps at top firms can be higher than M&A with lower hours. My firm is attracting some talent from top BB M&A (their best talent btw). 

Pros

1. Growth is way higger than primaries or any other part of the market 

2. Shorter path to partnership

3. Wlb

Cons

1. Exit opa

Feel free to message to get a junior's perspective of secondaries in London

 

Eligendi dolore omnis omnis. Doloribus et excepturi odit quibusdam cum nobis. Impedit soluta voluptatem sit voluptate fugit molestiae consequatur commodi. Dolorem aliquam itaque reiciendis ad. Molestiae nemo eos in sapiente aliquam reiciendis. Itaque temporibus maiores nobis repellat dignissimos enim aliquam.

Asperiores quis repellendus beatae corporis. Aut laboriosam ut rerum enim error nam doloremque reprehenderit. Ea exercitationem qui dolor aut. Vel aut maiores dicta ea sed ea. Sit voluptates labore sint. Labore adipisci magnam quia reprehenderit praesentium quisquam. Excepturi voluptatem rerum aspernatur incidunt vero.

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...”