PE MBA internship at tiny firm

I'm starting my MBA at an M7 in the fall, and pursuing PE without pre-MBA experience (total long shot but trying for it at the start). A 3 person PE firm (really a fundless sponsor) offered me an unpaid internship 10-20 hours a week for the next few months, meaning rest of summer plus start of fall term.

They've had a handful of interns the past couple years and the co-founders have UMM PE experience, but I'm wary of taking the internship since it's unpaid and a no-name shop. Is it still worth it, especially since I could potentially network hard and get a more reputable LMM position starting mid-fall--or is the earlier the better to start with the first experience? They've been vague about the day to day of the role but I'm planning on asking more about that before accepting.

2 Comments
 

I hear you - it is hard to get excited about an unpaid role.

What are your alternatives if you don't do this internship?

Have you thought about improving your pay by negotiating a success fee, or any other form of a contingent payment?

 
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