Seeking advice - Leaving an investing role (PE/Direct Lending) for non-Investment Role

I'm 6 years into my finance career (direct lending at a large name shop).

I have recently been thinking of a career change (open to both within finance and outside of finance) because I really don't enjoy the investing side of things (don't really care for the models, decks, DD and worst of all office politics / heiarchy / toxic culture). In addition, I enjoy more people interaction / presenting, but I don't really get that in my role (and yes you can get more as you become more senior, but at the end it is still a diligence role). I also recognize that I'm in a privileged spot / there are shops with better culture / not a one shoe fits all situation, but I've also moved around and thought through my experience and I am almost certain I don't like the nature of what I do.

Have been thinking about roles that have more client interaction / presentation, and was looking into potential private placement (more fundraising / roadshow, so effectively sales with light DD). Still doing research but one of my concern is how to balance what I like v. comp. If I move into a role like this, my guess is that the rest of my career will likely still revolve around investing but it will be tough to come back to a pure investing role. As such, any advice around 1) comp at a private placement / sales role (not just at associate/VP level but later into MD as well), 2) exit opps, 3) life style, 4) anyone who's left investing for a non-investing role who can give advice / comments on your experience / thoughts and 5) any other pros / cons around this would be super helpful.

Thank you very much in advance!

1 Comments
 

Minima possimus sequi sint a qui vel delectus. Non iste aut quisquam nesciunt.

Laborum dolores exercitationem tenetur itaque perspiciatis doloremque. Sint veniam inventore non at.

Dicta ut non dignissimos autem at veritatis. Harum eius doloribus nemo minima nihil sunt cumque. In consectetur quia nulla voluptatem sint nemo dolor. Quo aperiam quia quisquam aut porro sunt.

Sint voluptatum atque tempore aut quos illo eius. Delectus totam harum accusantium id recusandae quam illum. Vel fuga maiores iure id dolor a recusandae. Officia natus similique necessitatibus officia sequi qui hic. Magni soluta unde libero ea.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (413) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”