MBA to IB to PE or MS to IB to MBA to PE?

Hey guys, I've been working in FP&A for a year but I would like to move to investment banking and then ultimately PE. I don't really see myself in FP&A in the future as it's slow moving, not that challenging, and I think IB/PE is a thousand times more interesting of an industry even if it's an absolute beat down.

I went to a total non target state school where only one kid in my graduating class went IB and it was a post grad internship at a boutique. There really aren't a lot of alum working in IB so networking is tough and I just don't see it happening.

I know I can get into a good MBA program as recent ugrads from my company/role have gone to MIT/Cornell/UT. I know I could at least swing UT.

But I'm assuming it's way easier to do IB before grad school and then transition to PE post MBA. Is this correct? How hard is it to go from MBA to IB to PE?

I'm considering taking the GMAT now and applying to MSF or MMS (Duke) programs and matriculate next summer/fall. I would try to use the MSF to get into IB so I wouldn't have to use my MBA card just yet. Then, after working in IB for two years, get an MBA and try for PE.

Is this rational? My main fear is that I spend $60k+ and then fail to get an IB job and end up at back at square one.

If going from IB straight to PE isn't too challenging I would much rather do that but I'm uncertain. Can anyone shed light on that and tell me what my best course of action would be?

Sorry for typos, I wrote this on my phone.

3 Comments
 
Best Response

Do a MSF as a last resort. They definitely work but it is definitely expensive, time & money. After MSF, you'll be entering as an Analyst though. And you definitely don't want to do MBA -> IB, being an Associate at an IB, that's brutal.

FP&A -> IB -> PE -> MBA -> PE/etc.

Start hustling, network with IB professional from a non-target background. Do a self-study course or even take classes on valuation/financial modeling and throw it on your resume. It'll show your interest & dedication - studying on the side while you have a FT job, that's respectable.

AgainstAllOdds
 
AgainstAllOdds

Do a MSF as a last resort. They definitely work but it is definitely expensive, time & money. After MSF, you'll be entering as an Analyst though. And you definitely don't want to do MBA -> IB, being an Associate at an IB, that's brutal.

FP&A -> IB -> PE -> MBA -> PE/etc.

Start hustling, network with IB professional from a non-target background. Do a self-study course or even take classes on valuation/financial modeling and throw it on your resume. It'll show your interest & dedication - studying on the side while you have a FT job, that's respectable.

Thanks for the advice. Why would IB as an associate be that much worse than IB as an analyst?

 

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AgainstAllOdds

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