19 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Top BB IBD --> tough hours, but you'll open it up a ton of options including MF PE, MM PE, LMM PE and F500 CorpDev. If you care about WLB you'll probably end up at LMM PE or CorpDev after your 2 hours. IB can really, really suck but if you're MF/UMM or bust (which it doesn't seem like you are) then that's the way to go. 

LMM PE --> more manageable hours, but life as a PE analyst can be pretty mind-numbing. All the admin work that associates don't want to do gets pushed to you, and then often take care of all the modeling, etc. So you'll end up being basically an assistant to them for 2 years. Then if you try to recruit for PE, you'll find that a ton of places look for IBD analysts only, since they have a very structured training program that PE firms trust. They don't always trust PE analysts to get a thorough training experience at a 15-person shop. I'd say MF PE, most UMM PE and F50 CorpDev would probably be closed off to you. You can still probably find a good spot at a MM/LMM PE Shop or a PE-backed CorpDev. HOWEVER, if you manage to find a LMM PE firm that will for sure promote you to ASO and has a strong track record of promoting up the ranks, that could be your golden ticket.

 

i think what he's implying is that a lot of the times a PE analyst at small shop won't really be touching the models, the associates will hence the "assistant" phrase. So in his scenario the PE analyst a lot of times doesn't get those countless reps a 2 yr IB analyst would be getting. Of course if the PE shop does have analysts getting extensive modeling experience then that point would be moot.  

 

Thank you this is really helpful! Is it possible to move to MF/UMM PE from BB IBD with 4 years of prior finance experience but restarting as analyst? Or is it better to go directly to LMM PE as an associate?

 

1st scenario is def possible BUT there's a strong possibility that you decide after a year and a half that you don't want the hours/stress of working at a MF/UMM and then you recruit for LMM/MM PE and end up two years behind. think carefully before making that choice. you'll see a ton of posts on this website talking about the hours, stress, and admin work at a MF PE shop. very rarely do you see bad things written about LMM PE. when it comes down to it the biggest downsides of LMM PE are comp and prestige but i really have not seen anyone ever complain about that.

 

Thank you! How possible is it to lateral from LMM PE to UMM PE as an associate? And would it be an issue not having prior IB experience once in PE?

 

Molestias cumque aliquam deserunt qui ut quasi quia autem. Dignissimos iste voluptatem cumque ullam nihil.

Quia quia libero ullam consequatur neque sint ipsam. Ipsum et et nesciunt quod corporis autem facere. In et illum perferendis ratione qui. Dicta saepe voluptatem eum velit quos et quia.

Qui doloremque praesentium aut molestiae non ipsa in. Qui aspernatur perferendis optio aut ut. Aut dignissimos cum accusantium fuga minima atque. Dolor sit dolore dolore at voluptas exercitationem. Soluta saepe debitis voluptas delectus quia ut. Sint dicta vero numquam perferendis iste rerum.

Labore deserunt sit aut nihil aut eos. Labore modi voluptatem quo itaque. Dolorem aspernatur temporibus voluptas aut quis corrupti recusandae. Et saepe error qui enim corrupti illum neque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (98) $365
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $62
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

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...”