8 Comments
 
Best Response

Given your other options as an investment analyst at Vanguard or IB analyst at a small boutique, I would recommend the PE FoF role. I understand your apprehension of "closing doors," but I believe it is the best option of the ones you listed. I worked with 2 strong analysts at my IB who went to one of the funds you mention above... they are/were actually in the group you listed. PE FoF is a very good exit opportunity out of IB.

 

Thanks! Do you think there is much of a difference in prestige/compensation between the two firms I mentioned, HarbourVest and StepStone? I'm wondering if I should continue my search into other FoFs. If you don't mind me asking, did your colleague end up at StepStone, or HarbourVest?

 

I can't speak to that question personally, but I will say that I have a friend at HarbourVest (more in an accounting role, but still) and they really enjoy working there. I don't know much about StepStone myself so I can't be completely objective, but hope that helps a little.

 

Thanks for the responses so far! I'm curious though as to how desirable this job is in comparison to Bulge Bracket or elite boutique IB. Also wondering what the compensation is like (i.e. for either of the two FoFs I mentioned). Thanks again

 

If you plan on going to business school, the FoFs role will differentiate you from the bankers and investment analysts. However, if you think you'll want to go into direct PE or a hedge fund longer term, the other two options would probably set you up better. I worked at a PE FoFs (on the primary side, not coinvestments) before MBA and felt like a lot of options were still available to me. Don't worry about compensation right out of undergrad. The differences most likely aren't going to dramatically change your lifestyle. You'll probably only be at this job for 2 years. If you work until you're 65, then 2 years is less than 5% of your career; it won't define what you do with the other 95%.

 

Laboriosam eveniet earum eaque esse. Fuga quis assumenda fugiat facilis velit explicabo doloremque sit. Et earum voluptas facilis et ducimus et sit. Dolorum eos tenetur voluptatum reprehenderit odio nam. Qui aut aliquam inventore voluptas corporis consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (98) $365
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $62
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”