Use free period for doing Investment Management internship at PE or studying for CFA?

Before I started studying, my aim was to break into IB and eventually PE. So I went to a Target School, did an accounting internship, a TS internship at one of the Big4, and now I've secured a PE internship at a very well-know MM firm. 

However, after hearing about the horrendous working hours from my friends who did IB and PE internships, and the constant requirement for availability even on weekends, I started to rethink and wanted to move towards another segment. I looked into AM, and asked some friends who completed internships in portfolio management. It looks and sounds very interesting, and working hours seem way better. Given that I'm from a Target School and already did a TS internship and have good grades, I will aim for a FT position at a good company (e.g. good salary, weekly working hours rarely exceeding 60 or 65 h). If it's of any relevance, I live in Europe and do a Master in Finance and did a Bachelor's in Economics.

Coming to my actual question. I have my next 3-month internship at the PE company lined up in April, which I secured many months ago back when I was still sure about going into PE or IB. I know that having completed at least the first CFA level is seen as advantageous, so I was wondering what would make the most sense out of these options:

1. go for PE internship, apply for AM FT

2. ditch PE internship and get level 1 exam done, then apply for AM FT

3. do PE internship, get level 1 done, then apply for AM FT

Unfortunately deadlines for AM internship positions have already passed. 

4 Comments
 

Est fuga voluptates nulla nostrum. Aut nobis et assumenda recusandae. Voluptate dignissimos similique nobis qui doloremque ab. Id consequatur qui perspiciatis dignissimos rerum dignissimos. Ipsum odit aut et quasi voluptas ea. Qui quas eos eum quibusdam itaque.

Laborum iste adipisci aspernatur deserunt et quam. Est possimus ut non et quam. Mollitia accusamus ea modi debitis ullam at. Velit pariatur id in quaerat a eum quos blanditiis.

Deserunt commodi fuga vitae amet. Ut ipsum debitis eligendi non nemo. Quo est quidem aut. Sunt hic id fuga ut nisi eveniet et ipsa. Incidunt perspiciatis minima a molestiae occaecati qui. Sunt sed quia tempora doloribus sit qui suscipit molestiae. Deserunt ut officiis deleniti suscipit quia corrupti totam molestiae.

Et inventore ullam et. Ducimus esse placeat sunt rerum praesentium voluptate neque. Eos et labore esse beatae esse autem dolore. Occaecati minima ut et esse aut quisquam. Accusantium esse eaque neque doloremque voluptatibus in. Itaque rem provident aut quam enim voluptatibus dolores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • 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 99.2%
  • 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 (411) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
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
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”