SWF Direct Investing VP back to PE

What are people's thoughts on moving from an active SWF (Mubadala, Temasek, etc) back to PE? Assuming moved from a megafund ($15B+ fund) as a VP/principal, quarterbacked a couple large deals, otherwise blue chip investing resume?

Moved from a tech/generalist MF to a SWF about a year ago, and worried that I might have screwed myself out of the ability to move back to PE or growth. In T1 city (SF/NYC) looking to stay at the same. No visa issues.

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Can be done but going back to MF seems largely off the table unless you get your MBA from H/S as a conduit.

Coming from a MF to a mainstream top SWF and going to non-MF/non-UMM should be pretty attainable but you’ll need to have a good story on why you’re about to have your 3rd PE job in as many years — people will not love that narrative.

 
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My personal take is MF and increasingly UMM PE is insanely competitive. These firms want complete cyborgs that will run through walls at the expense of anything just to make partner. So the notion that you were at MFPE and willingly left means that for atleast a moment, you were no longer a true believer and left the church. Anyone that allows the seed of doubt to creep into their heart is likely to do so again on the long arduous road to salvation ahead.

No one will say that out loud, but that’s what I believe the mentality is.

 

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