Breaking into Private Equity
I have a question about breaking into Real Estate Private Equity...
I currently reside in Chicago and my professional background is in Financial Analysis in the Public sector and Consulting in the Government and Aviation industry. I have gained some Real Estate consulting experience while working with one of our aviation clients. I'm currently still this assignment and it began a year ago.
My goal is to join a Private Equity Real Estate firm in Chicago to create value rebuilding urban areas and tackle issues like affordable housing etc. domestic and international.
I know it is very hard to land a PE role especially if you do not have Pre-MBA previous PE or IB experience. What should I focus on (besides the application process) to get into PERE since I plan to start my MBA in the Fall of 2019?
The schools I am considering: Booth, Wharton, Harvard, UW-Madison, UNC Chapel Hill, Stanford, and Columbia
a) focus on getting a PERE (or PE) Pre-MBA internship (even for no pay)
b) wait and try to get into IB/PE internship after my first year of MBA school?
c) obtain a general Pre-MBA internship for operational RE experience
d) PE financial analysis training I really don't know much about these external training programs
e) other advice...