PE internship, better than nothing?

Hey guys!

I'm an international sophomore student at a semi-target school in Europe, majoring in chemistry and minoring in math with a GPA around 3.5. I have a few interesting credentials, but none are super related to finance, although I did try to make them appear like that in my resume. In my future career I'd like to do something either finance or consulting related.
In December I started looking for internships (bad timing, I know) and applied to a few IBs as well as a few highly reputable consulting firms for internships and spring weeks, but so far I've got one rejection from JPMorgan. Tbh, I don't really expect myself to be shortlisted even at one of these intern positions this year, since I didn't submit that many applications, didn't network or attend the few recruitment events at our school we had and the online tests didn't go as well as I wanted.
However, now that I've gone through all the process and I have a general idea about how it works, I have set high hopes for the next summer. I have a possibility to intern at a medium size PE firm in a large city this summer, but I'm not sure what should I do. I've heard that transition from PE->IB or consulting is very rare. Wouldn't my internship at a PE firm hurt my chances next year, when I'd be applying for IB or even consulting internships or would it, giving my non-finance background still be somewhat an advantage?

 

No. Its rare for people to move from full time PE to IB or consulting, but PE internships are highly looked on in full time hiring and hiring for other internships.

“...all truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” - Schopenhauer
 

Absolutely correct. A decent PE internship will help your applications rather than hurt them. Obviously a brand name internship in IB or consulting will help you to enter full-time in one of the two. PE has the benefit of being a bit of a hybrid so that you can always build a good story for future applications.

Hence, take the PE internship unless your other applications succeed.

 

Placeat ullam fuga porro et laboriosam vitae. Culpa sint facere nam sed voluptatem. Autem facere quisquam culpa eos consequatur ex aut dolor. Aliquam veniam quia magni aut ipsa tempore.

'Before you enter... be willing to pay the price'

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (21) $586
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (89) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (204) $268
  • 1st Year Associate (386) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (28) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (313) $59
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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”