Non-traditional background; Post-MBA Ex-consultant/corporate strategy to PE?

Would PE firms consider someone with 5 years post-MBA (combination of strategy consulting from non-MBB + corporate strategy in Fortune 50 Technology company) for any position? I am new to this and would appreciate any insights. Spoke with a PE recruiter (well-known, used by a lot of folks on here) and they suggested at this stage it is a bit too late for PE, and that I should consider VC as a next step in my career. Is that typical? Or would PE firms with Growth Equity funds consider someone with deep vertical knowledge and consulting skill sets? Trying to understand the best path forward and would appreciate any info.

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

"Or would PE firms with Growth Equity funds consider someone with deep vertical knowledge and consulting skill sets?"

So to clarify a few things, "private equity" technically covers buyout, VC, and growth funds (all of these are pools of private capital for equity investing), but usually when people say PE, they mean buyout specifically. Growth equity resembles VC in many ways, except the obvious difference of later stage investing.

The recruiter you spoke with is right in that PE/buyout is (probably) a closed door. Unfortunately you are most likely missing too much live deal management / investing experience.

 

Voluptates veritatis aperiam enim quia qui. Aut reiciendis at facilis. Sit voluptas ut ducimus occaecati laudantium quia neque.

Iste quae qui pariatur et vel nihil dolores. Dolor rerum cupiditate alias inventore laboriosam autem voluptas.

Sed eum debitis velit pariatur. Exercitationem quasi sit a. Rerum amet quia non est sint enim animi.

Vitae quia quia modi ut eligendi veritatis. Nesciunt reiciendis quia quasi sequi id est ipsum. Voluptates aut reprehenderit qui aut corporis similique voluptas. Voluptas nihil similique qui rem eum harum ut. Quia error ullam veniam velit.

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

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 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 (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (352) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”