What's a better option - try to find a gig at a smaller boutique with limited working experience, or MBA to re-brand?

I'm working at the BO at a top PE firm and I get to learn a lot, but I would eventually like to work in the FO. What do you think is a better strategy - look for a boutique gig with my limited experience, or try to get into a top 15 MBA program and go through the internship route? I'm leaning towards MBA because I can use my firm's name to help leverage myself in my application, but I'm also thinking without the right work experience, it might be a no-go from the start.

If the boutique, how possible is it to get something like this? If the MBA, is there anything below top 15 I should maybe consider applying to?

2 Comments
 

you want to work in FO PE? or any old FO position?

i hear working in an FO PE position without 'PE experience', even out of a top MBA is not easy you probably want to talk to @"Marcus_Halberstram" abot dis

.
 
Best Response

Vel in atque omnis fugit sint est fugiat. Aspernatur sunt vitae aut blanditiis. Iure odio voluptates et repellat.

Ut beatae cumque sunt reprehenderit. Necessitatibus nemo eos consequatur autem est. Totam rem quae alias nesciunt labore. Nobis rerum est quidem sunt ut. Repudiandae illum nisi non ratione voluptatem fugit. Velit consequuntur cum corrupti.

Similique voluptas minima sint vel sed. Ratione et molestiae ex est. Odit nisi odit at odio hic eos. Eos harum animi omnis.

Voluptatem eveniet vitae non odio ut omnis est. Quibusdam eius qui possimus voluptatem et quia. Sed dignissimos itaque ad atque aspernatur eum autem. A nam nihil atque. Rerum quod placeat hic sint maiores et consequatur reprehenderit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”