Hey guys,
I was recently accepted into Teach for America (start date in July '13, as a NYC corps member) and logged onto WSO to run a search on what other folks within the banking/PE community have said about the two-year program.
As for my background, I've spent the past three years as an IB Analyst at a top bulge bracket, and may squeeze a year at a small PE shop (already have an offer) before I start TFA (assuming I accept; I have two weeks from today to decide). I attended a semi-target for undergrad.
Assuming I complete two years of teaching, does anyone have any insight on how it helps with getting back into IBD, or even go directly to PE, given I would ostensibly have a two-year gap between my last banking experience? I also would like to apply to attend a top 5 business school program for additional flexibility, and am keeping my options open.
Please provide any comments, whether you know directly or indirectly, regarding exit opportunities after TFA (specifically IBD, PE, or B-school).
holy shit. srs bro? wats ur motivation for tfa?
Not sure how to interpret your reaction.. lol
Friend did TFA before banking and it really impacted him because of the contributions he made; I applied thinking I wouldn't get in because of how rigorous their process and selection is.
What do you plan to do after TFA?
Ultimately, I would like to go directly into a top five business school. In the event that I don't get into a top program, I would then want to head back to IBD or PE - why is why I wanted to hear everyone's thoughts about how plausible that would be given I would be out of banking for two years while I did TFA.
I can help answer your question. It would be very hard for you to move back to IBD or PE from TFA. The market isn't great right now and you would be taking a huge risk. I think your chances are just as good for a top MBA by going to PE as it would be by taking this TFA job.
I would not take TFA unless you were REALLY deadset on teaching and you have no intention of working in finance again. It's not impossible to jump back but highly unlikely and every interview would question why you made such a move to begin with.
You seem to be headed in the opposite direction of the traditional TFA path. Usually you do your 2 with TFA, then you go IB or MBB. Might I ask what exactly why you're heading to TFA now? I think it's a more compelling argument for graduate schools going the route that you did, but I'm not sure it would be easy to sell that to a HF or PE firm.
Similarly, since you've already completed your analyst stint it would be difficult to exit back into a higher position at a BB. TFA's partner firms generally ONLY recruit for entry level positions and I know of no one who did analyst --> TFA --> Associate. You would probably need to do business school, which in your case would be very plausible.
Now the bigger deciding factor: how big is the PE firm? Is it about 500M AUM?
The PE fund is under $500mm.
IB Teaching - I agree with many of your points there. TFA has great branding for business school. BS would then allow me to get back to IBD. PE is less probable, unless if I do it now.
I think it's solid for B School apps, not so much for PE recruiting which is why if you can do the 1+ yr of PE before TFA, probably best if you want to exit to PE post b school.
Good luck!
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