Should I do MBA to break into PE?

Currently work in Corporate Development and after reading various posts on this forum it seems like the odds of breaking into PE from this background is quite low.

Would like advice as to how I should proceed going forward. Currently I can think of the following options:

1) Apply for a top MBA program (as an international student) and try my luck on PE from there
2) Try move over to IB then to PE
3) Go directly to a lower MM PE (preferable option)

What do you guys think would be best?

 

How long have you been working ? Frankly, it's pretty hard to move to PE post MBA if you don't have any previous experience so I don't think I would recommend that route. If you haven't been working for too long, it might be worth it to look into banking, given you experience, it should be easy to at least get people to talk to you. Similarly, it can be possible to move directly to PE, although it will take a ton of networking and isn't a given.

 

Definitely seen people with your background make the switch to banking. I know you say you're not good at networking, but it just takes practices. Ultimately, for most process, recruiters are going to see resumes that on paper will look better than yours and your best chance of getting into processes is to do some groundwork meeting with people and selling yourself. Headhunters are obviously a good resources and I would try to connect with every headhunters you can (and don't take it personally when they don't respond or go dark, it's just how it is).

 
Most Helpful

I agree that a move to PE in the US following an MBA is not easy. But you mention you'd be an international student. If you are from outside the US and are planning on attending a top MBA in the US, getting a PE job in your country after the MBA is generally more easily done than getting into PE in the US.

If you work for a very acquisitive company and in a strong technical corp dev team (ie. with a lot of bankers vs company finance people), a move to IB or to a small PE in your sector should be doable with a bit of networking. Start with your preferred option and expand to the other two if that doesn't work.

 

Nesciunt fugiat maiores non at. Consequatur quia quisquam incidunt recusandae. Ut libero est dolores et. Ut praesentium dicta qui ab qui omnis.

Consectetur et totam id quibusdam doloremque necessitatibus aut. Esse deserunt sit et eius incidunt ad consequatur. Sunt aut et iste libero distinctio et dolor sunt. Et voluptas impedit est autem.

Laboriosam vel possimus molestiae et non nemo. Perspiciatis quam porro nihil fugit et accusantium autem. Beatae dolor minus pariatur cum aut. Aut neque quasi ab tempore rerum. Neque reiciendis quisquam sequi eius ab quasi. Amet reprehenderit possimus a corporis. Laboriosam aut modi sapiente facilis laborum voluptatem eos.

Perferendis nostrum exercitationem assumenda et temporibus culpa doloribus laborum. Nam et ipsam veniam at rerum et sit sed. Aut aliquam autem dolorem et aut blanditiis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 99.0%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (22) $569
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (91) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (206) $266
  • 1st Year Associate (387) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (29) $154
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (314) $59
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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”