O&G Engineer at PortCo to Associate IB/PE

I'm an A&D/Reservoir Engineer at a PE backed shop, and have been thinking about jumping into the finance world. I joined this gig straight from school and it's been two years. I'm lucky to have been given lots of responsibility right off the bat in the A&D side of things where I've successfully closed ~250MM in A&D deals, while also working on the engineering modeling and econ modeling side of things. Recently, I've been thinking about my next few moves and have been lured into ending up in PE. I'm aware that engineers are generally not the target for an associate gig at PE funds, but given my background in A&D, would I have any sort of chance in the O&G Energy Fund as an Associate?

Obviously, doing an MBA, followed by 2 yrs of IB, and then recruiting to PE would make the most sense. But it'd also mean that I would have to wait another 3-4 years max to get into PE. Is there any hope to directly jump to an Associate role at a PE? Would an IB Associate for a year and then jumping to PE make more sense (Without MBA)? Would appreciate any insight on what I should ideally be doing so I end up in the PE path within the next two years.

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I'm just thinking out loud here but your experience is much more at the asset level than the overall deal level. That's not a bad thing especially in O&G where the more technical knowledge you can apply the better. I don't think its a particularly big leap for you to get into PE. Basically all the cash flows you're predicting from a development model ultimately get run through a waterfall; if you can demonstrate competence there I bet you can attract some interest.

 

Thanks for the thoughts. Do you think it'd be useful to start prepping on the modeling side of things (start with DCFs and then LBO)? Obviously can also mess around with current company waterfall structure once I can get a better hang of things. Followed by then reaching out to folks over at funds like EnCap, NGP, etc. for coffee chats to gauge their interest in my skill sets. Thinking out loud, just wanted your thoughts. Thanks.

 

Veniam sit est consequatur reprehenderit et voluptate hic et. Quam reprehenderit excepturi dignissimos voluptates quibusdam. Dignissimos sit totam minima perferendis. Quis deserunt eaque ab dolorum odio molestiae. Debitis et blanditiis sunt eos omnis tempore voluptate. Quia ducimus voluptatem autem ut illo sed tempore. Qui animi consequatur voluptatem voluptatem enim.

Ad commodi voluptatem pariatur est quia et excepturi. Eaque dolore voluptatem voluptatem sint non ipsam.

Consectetur ducimus quas cumque voluptates quas repudiandae quo. Blanditiis quia et enim ipsa distinctio voluptatum. Corrupti suscipit saepe quis. Harum numquam totam laboriosam non.

Nesciunt ut impedit iusto. Sed non nihil reiciendis. Autem omnis itaque dolor quasi. Praesentium et nihil fugit quam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • 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) 99.3%
  • 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 99.3%
  • 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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”