Too early to Network for PE?

So I recently just signed my 2020 SA offer to work for a BB in their IBD. I know that I want to work in IB then transition to PE. A number of my school's Alumni work in top PE firms and I was just wondering if it would be worth it to reach out to them and begin the networking process. Given that I haven't even started my internship for IB, would anybody bother speaking with me? Would I be reaching out too early?

3 Comments
 
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Two opposing thoughts:

  • Thought 1: It's never too early to start networking. You don't have to frame your conversation as "I'm interested in pivoting to PE after IB", but rather "I'm gathering information about what PE is and want to understand why so many bankers pivot there". This will allow you to build a relationship with these folks over time.

  • Thought 2: You need to chill. You have 1 full year until your IB internship. Even if you were gunning for a PE spot out of undergrad, it's too early to network. Assuming you want to do PE after 2 years of on-cycle (2023 start?), you are 2 years away from needing to network.

I'm more of a thought 2 kind of person. Enjoy your summer and time at school. You'll have plenty of opportunities to network and grind in the future.

Congrats on the 2020 SA job, and keep it up!

 

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