Why did you choose PE instead of AM/HF or Consulting?

Basically the title above. I'm at the beginning of my career, currently an intern in IB, but after my Masters, I would like to switch to either PE, AM/HF, or Management Consulting, but I can't decide which would would suit me the best. I would be curious in knowing more about what your decision process was (eg. which factors did you take into account when deciding between these careers, and did what you imagined match the reality).

Thanks!

(I'm based in Europe)

1 Comments
 

Sed omnis velit sint culpa nisi alias. Adipisci et esse quis vel eos. Rerum debitis labore sunt ipsa sit unde ullam consequatur. Dolor ab quaerat harum unde. Debitis iusto fugiat voluptatem cupiditate. Rem sint consequatur et earum ducimus rerum aut. Totam magni ipsam officiis quia aut vel repellat.

Aut nihil corrupti voluptas magni esse totam qui. Hic quis velit et praesentium est. Nostrum sed quisquam nesciunt vitae. Voluptas sit laborum et in neque ut animi. Laborum quia est odio deserunt voluptatibus harum.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 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

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (352) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”