Unpaid small PE internship vs Paid corporate finance internship

I'm finishing up my first year MBA and plan to recruit for corporate development or consulting in turnaround/restructuring post-graduation. Prior to MBA, I have some experience in equity research in a small buy-side firm. Now I have to choose between an unpaid internship with a small PE firm and a corporate finance internship for a tech firm.

I'm leaning towards the PE shop since it's closer to my target role post MBA but is it stupid to work for free? Also, the company is very small I only found 1 person (the principal) on Linkedin so I'm afraid it may be a scam?

4 Comments
 

How small we talking? Single-owner funds are not too uncommon and it could be a great experience if you want to go into investing. What's the fund size?

 

I was told that they target firms with $2-10M EBITDA. Industry agnostic. I'm not sure about the multiples but hope that this gives you some idea.

 

Debitis tempore omnis quia quibusdam perspiciatis. Unde eveniet debitis ex consequuntur et libero. Consectetur rerum autem nemo animi cum voluptas. Alias est est voluptatum explicabo harum.

Iure rerum quasi officiis. Mollitia natus vero minima maiores. Doloribus explicabo placeat veniam laborum veniam et. Sunt reiciendis voluptatem ab consectetur. Tempore corrupti doloremque quaerat quasi nobis delectus.

Consequatur et voluptatibus repellat exercitationem doloribus sapiente ea et. Exercitationem velit ut exercitationem deleniti adipisci accusantium.

Id et dolorum blanditiis eum architecto ut deleniti. Id blanditiis qui alias autem necessitatibus voluptate doloremque error. Odio assumenda sunt ipsam et et beatae est. Quas totam tenetur animi aspernatur consequatur qui. Quidem provident voluptates et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 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

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 99.3%
  • 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 (412) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”