MM IB vs MBB Consulting for PE exits?

I'm interested in PE down the road and currently deciding between two career paths. I have an IB internship at a top MM shop that I expect I will be able to convert into a FT offer. On the other hand, during my internship recruiting I went deep in the process at an MBB firm but pulled my app because I got the IB offer, but have been in touch with people at the firm and think I would have a good shot there during FT recruiting.

Which will have better PE exit ops down the road? I know IB is a more traditional path to PE vs consulting, but the brand at MBB consulting is going to be a lot stronger than at MM IB, even if it is one of the better' MM shops. Anyone have thoughts on which is a better angle into PE? My goal is to eventually end up in MF (which I know is nearly impossible from MM IB) or UMM PE (known to be difficult from MM IB). I know it would probably be pretty easy to go from MM IB to LMM PE, but I'd rather do PE at a larger fund. Is a top consulting shop better for that outcome?

5 Comments
 

There are some megafunds (Advent, Bain Cap...) known to hire MBB consultants. The majority hire pretty exclusively from IBD, and yes from BB but every now and then someone in MM slips in. This has been covered a few times in the past decade so I'd recommend a search :-)

If you'd like to optimize your chances of eventually being at a MF, I would focus on the banking track and take the best offer you get.

Advice that you will find hard to swallow given where you are in your career... please also make sure you're asking yourself WHY you want to work at a megafund, or in PE for that matter. This will help you more than which job you take.

 
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