Quitting before my 3rd year of consulting: How should I spend my year before my 2020 PE Associate gig?
Hi all. I'm starting at a large PE firm in summer 2020 and I want to do something other than my third year of consulting before then. Here is what I am thinking:
Work at an impact investing group until then (area of personal interest, have offer)
Work as a Chief of Staff (Series A-B, area of personal interest, no offer yet, preferred) or Co-Founder/early employee (not ideal) of a startup
Work in a mid-level capacity in one of this or next year's batch of IPO growth companies (e.g., WeWork) (semi-ideal, would rather "roll up my sleeves")
Stay in consulting in order to reap title increases to help business school chances (not ideal, hate my company)
Other option that I am not thinking of but are acceptable paths to take before starting 3rd year gig (e.g., no dropping off the face of the earth option)
On one hand, impact investing is cool and will help my story if I ever want to get in the space. On the other hand, investing is investing, I'm doing that next year, and getting startup experience would be pretty unique.
Thoughts?
Are you sure the fund you're joining in 2020 is cool with you not finishing your third year in consulting? Have you talked to them about it?
I would be really surprised if your future firm would be OK with you leaving your current firm. They hired you with the expectation that you would continue accumulating experience in the role you're in.
If you really don't like your current gig, consider asking your new firm if you can start early.
I would pursue option 2 or 3. It will give you much needed insight into how companies really work, which should come in handy in your PE gig.
As others have said, definitely check w/ the PE firm that they're ok with any of the options first.
Firm was ok with it, and I found others at other firms who have done similarly in case anyone stumbles on this thread in the future and is wondering how it panned out.
Quod rerum praesentium ducimus. Suscipit omnis aut debitis nemo vel.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...