Currently work in Corporate Development and after reading various posts on this forum it seems like the odds of breaking into PE from this background is quite low.
Would like advice as to how I should proceed going forward. Currently I can think of the following options:
1) Apply for a top MBA program (as an international student) and try my luck on PE from there 2) Try move over to IB then to PE 3) Go directly to a lower MM PE (preferable option)
What do you guys think would be best?
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How long have you been working ? Frankly, it's pretty hard to move to PE post MBA if you don't have any previous experience so I don't think I would recommend that route. If you haven't been working for too long, it might be worth it to look into banking, given you experience, it should be easy to at least get people to talk to you. Similarly, it can be possible to move directly to PE, although it will take a ton of networking and isn't a given.
1.5 years in big 4 corporate finance 1 year in in corporate development Not good at networking at all, was hoping to improve on that with an MBA. You’ve seen people make the jump with networking?
Definitely seen people with your background make the switch to banking. I know you say you're not good at networking, but it just takes practices. Ultimately, for most process, recruiters are going to see resumes that on paper will look better than yours and your best chance of getting into processes is to do some groundwork meeting with people and selling yourself. Headhunters are obviously a good resources and I would try to connect with every headhunters you can (and don't take it personally when they don't respond or go dark, it's just how it is).
I agree that a move to PE in the US following an MBA is not easy. But you mention you'd be an international student. If you are from outside the US and are planning on attending a top MBA in the US, getting a PE job in your country after the MBA is generally more easily done than getting into PE in the US.
If you work for a very acquisitive company and in a strong technical corp dev team (ie. with a lot of bankers vs company finance people), a move to IB or to a small PE in your sector should be doable with a bit of networking. Start with your preferred option and expand to the other two if that doesn't work.
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