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How should I design my career path to VC/PE?
I've been offerred a job in a top accounting firm recently and will join it this summer. Actually, my objective is to become an expert in VC/PE, which are not open to bacholar without working experiences in general. Here are some of my plans: 1. Accumulate the working experiences. (Maybe 2 years in my plan.) 2. Prepare for CFA exams 3. Get a higher degree. ( I am still confused about the differeces between MBA-finance and MS in Finance. ) Please give me some advise about my career path: How can I reach my goal step by step?
Asked by xuxing0127
Posted in Switching Sectors and Private Equity / Venture Capital
16 Mar 2009
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Traditional PE path is as follows: 2-3 years as an analyst in IB or top-tier consulting followed by 2-3 years as an Associate at a private equity group followed by MBA followed by post-MBA (often with firm you worked at pre-MBA). Firms used to hire direct from MBA programs without any prior PE experience, but now that seems pretty rare. In fact, I know some people that completed pre-MBA Associate programs and have top-5 MBAs (Harvard, Wharton, Stanford etc) who are having difficulty finding post-MBA partner track position in this environment. Accounting is a tough, but not impossible transition into PE. CFA is valuable for the hedge fund world, but that important in PE. My suggestion: try to get into the transaction advisory group at your firm. This will give experience in the deal environment and also help you network with PE clients. Then, try to get the IB or consulting as well as pre-MBA experience before your MBA. I think finding a post-MBA job will be difficult if you just have accounting experience. Some firms hire exclusively from their pre-MBA Associates. I would focus on getting in pre-MBA as there are more opportunities.
Anonymous 01 Apr 2009
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