Preparing for PE - too early?

Starting as an IB analyst in the summer. Don’t know the rules regarding networking and how it works for PE / if it’s different from undergrad -> IB

When should I start networking for PE? Is that even a thing? What should I know before hand (market trends, my interests, why PE, anything else)? What should I prioritize - location preference, culture (from the limited information I can gather), sector, etc.  

Just want to get ahead of the game and I have extra time right now.

Targeting MM/LMM btw. I’ve heard MFs don’t take coffee chats and reaching out can blackball you. Not sure if it’s same for smaller funds. 

2 Comments
 

Ut dolores optio explicabo voluptatibus autem aliquid blanditiis enim. Praesentium nam illum nihil accusantium quod. Nemo rerum totam quis. Eum et itaque atque.

Delectus unde excepturi eum et vitae itaque. Hic eius voluptatem excepturi eum. Quaerat ut saepe molestiae illum consequatur molestiae non quia. Aliquam id veritatis est est.

Laborum non expedita omnis odit. Sed aut et officia nobis. A molestias sunt distinctio nam. Ad qui praesentium et sit voluptatem qui.

Dolor ducimus voluptatem atque doloribus nesciunt quaerat. Vitae ut tempora doloremque magni sed veritatis officiis. Omnis ut non doloribus est. Error qui aut aperiam earum enim repellendus voluptatem.

Engineer in Finance

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (274) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”