How is pre-MBA PE experience in a different emerging market viewed by MFs and other mid/smaller firms here (in US)?

Something like this:

PE in emerging market--->MBA(say Columbia)

So how is that experience viewed by firms here for hiring for post-MBA PE roles out of top MBAs? I've heard that they value your knowledge of the market here but what if you don't have any? Is that a deal breaker?

Asking this for a friend.

 

"Better than nothing". Can you please elaborate?

Secondly, if the person isn't able to get any PE offers post MBA and they decide to go the IB route instead as a back-up, wouldn't that be viewed as a downgrade? Like PE in emerging market (and this guy has like 3 years experience in PE)--->BB/EB IB post-MBA in US. Wouldn't that raise a lot of eyebrows?

 
Best Response

I'm not sure I fully agree with Harvard_not.equal.yale . It's a valid point that the strategy is different in EM, but that doesn't mean it isn't going to be substantially relevant. You are still evaluating businesses, running a transaction process, negotiating transaction documentation, credit agreements, etc. I would imagine switching post-MBA from EM to DM PE wouldn't be an issue, and it would be akin to shifting to say a MM buyout shop from a more growth oriented shop after MBA. If you want to work at KKR after school, the kid with several years experience at BX is going to have a leg up on you, sure - but your first few years of experience aren't going to permanently lock you in to EM PE.

For reference, I have done a lot of EM PE work, and have considered lateraling. In a relatively short period of time since deciding to explore lateral opportunities, I have gotten several looks from traditional upper middle market and mega funds in the US. Probably helps that I worked at a BB in the US prior to my PE experience, however.

 

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