Post MBA to PE - should I even bother?
Hey there, I am a long-time lurker but I am looking for a bit of advice about my realistic options in PE post MBA.
Background I have had a bit of an odd path to where I am now, so please bear with me. I went to a good, liberal arts school that is well-known regionally. Graduated with a double major and a 3.7 GPA, but after school I coached a high-school sports team and did some odds and ends jobs for two years where I completely eschewed the traditional path. I managed to land a job as an investment analyst at a regionally important family-office / RIA, where I have worked on real-estate private equity deals, our internal long-short hedgefund, our fund-of-funds in addition to a few other esoteric / off the run investment opportunities.
TodayWe have a loose heirarchy, but I have been promoted with a ~20-30% CAGR comp increase over the past 4-5 years. In terms of banking equivalent responsibilities, I am probably a junior VP / senior-associate. I have been accepted into one of H/S/W for next year, and have a return offer from my firm. I have great people skills, and am intelligent (~790-800 GMAT), but I have terrible attention to detail and spelling ability(which is something I am working on, but probably won't every be able to fully address). I enjoy the deal work we do the most, as I feel like the public markets are relatively efficient, at least today.
QuestionI am curious if you all think I have a chance of getting any sort of meaningful PE internship over the summer between MBA year 1 and 2, or if I should focus on an investment banking internship hunt. I want to return to my firm, but I also want to have great experience, resume and a solid plan-b should my current firm no longer exists after I graduate (low odds, but I am risk adverse). I know this is an atypical story, but I would appreciate some WSO sage wisdom.
Thanks
You got a 790 on the GMAT?
I had the same exact reaction. I think anything is possible if you scored a 790
Yeah. I probably put too many hours into it on a marginal return basis. I wanted to make up for my odd work experience.
From coaching and random jobs to a well known family office in REPE and some hedge fund exposure I take it you have some family connections??
No. I wish. I lucked out in terms of timing really. I didn't realize it then, but in retrospect I was super lucky to be in the right place at the right time.
At HSW, especially HS, I think you have a decent shot at breaking into PE. Work on your networking like you worked on the gmat and you'll be golden.
Thanks. Are the mega-funds out of the picture for me though?
Hard for me to say. It'll be tough undoubtedly.
Est voluptatem sed natus dolorem totam. Fuga voluptatum officiis qui vel. Sapiente sed ullam sapiente et perferendis iste quia. Quia eos dolor ut incidunt.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...