Started my career in a FoF/advisory role - where to go from here?

I began a few months ago as an analyst at a PE FoF/advisor at a firm that's a good player in the space (think Capital Dynamics, StepStone, HarbourVest). I've been finding the work to be very boring and extremely qualitative. I've learned a lot about the asset class but don't really have much of a transferable skill set from it, although I'm familiar with modeling from self study and coursework.

My next question is... where do I go from here? Did I pigeonhole myself already? My end goal is direct PE at an MM shop - should I try to lateral into banking? Stick it out here for a few years and try to get into a good bschool? Feeling a little lost and any help is appreciated.

12 Comments
 

I don't have any experience in FoF, so I can't offer any advice. I'm kind of interested in learning about the career path though. What was the interview process like? What kind of technicals did you get?

 

Interview process was almost entirely fit based with a few very high-level questions relating to PE.

It's a very lifestyle oriented job, 60-70hrs a week. Comp reflects this as well. I'm sure it's a great place to end your career (good hours and I imagine the top people here are making good money) but I wouldn't recommend starting there.

 

Just general things like how is a fund structured, what's the j-curve, the difference between net/gross returns, really basic things. Mostly qualitative.

 

Can you get involved with secondaries and/or co-investing at your firm or are you focused on primary fund investing? Secondaries and co-investing are more quantitative and could throw a nice change of pace into the day-to-day.

 

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