Industry-Focused PE Associate Lateraling to a Different Industry

Hi all,

For some background, I've been an Associate at a MM PE Firm (~$1-5bn fund) for the last 1-2 years. My firm focuses on 2-3 industries but groups Associates in industry verticals (e.g., industrials, financial services, consumer products). I'm currently focused on one of these industries but want to lateral over to an opportunity that either 1) has a different industry focus (particularly looking for healthcare) or 2) is a generalist role that would allow me to one day focus in on healthcare. 

Note that, though I haven't had exposure to this industry through my PE work, I did previously work on a number of healthcare projects pre-PE as a consultant. I just had a few questions on lateraling:

  • How hard / easy is it to lateral into an industry-specific investing role from a completely separate industry-specific PE role?
  • Is the process easier to lateral directly or does going to b-school first help improve chances of making this shift? 

Thanks!

 

Story makes sense, especially since you did healthcare before PE. If you can articulate why you want to make the move, I think firms will be receptive. Plus, at the senior associate / VP level, firms care a lot more about your deal experience / execution ability than industry knowledge so as long as you had a solid experience there you should be in good shape. 

Re: MBA vs. lateral, the MBA will definitely make things easier (ideally if M7 or ideally H/S) because it'll give you more time to i) network; ii) get smart on the industry independently; and iii) access to campus recruiting resources. That said, it isn't necessary so if it isn't something you're already planning to do you can go ahead and work the laterals and use business school as a fallback. 

 

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