College Experiences That Helped An Associate At Aurora Capital Partners Succeed
Entry-level private equity roles are uncommon for undergraduates; the typical path involves first working as an investment banking analyst, gaining crucial skills like financial modeling and developing an "investor mindset," before transitioning to a private equity associate role, as "the banks...have a lot of processes in place and training programs."
Investment Banking, Private Equity, Financial Modeling, Career Path, Entry-Level Positions
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Brandon Priest
Associate
Aurora Capital Partners
UC Santa Barbara
UCLA Anderson School of Management, MBA
Biology & Related Sciences
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. 1. Entry-level positions in private equity are rare for undergraduates. Most professionals in this field start with investment banking roles.
2. 2. Investment banking offers valuable training in financial modeling and other essential skills needed for private equity.
3. 3. Private equity firms prefer candidates with foundational skills in Excel, PowerPoint, and a developed investor mindset, which are typically gained through experience in investment banking or similar roles.
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
There's not much coming directly out of undergrad for private equity. While you can intern at private equity firms as an undergrad, the typical path is to go into investment banking first as an analyst.
Alternatively, you can go into an MBA program and then as an associate. After a year or two, you can lateral into an associate role at a private equity firm.
Some private equity firms do have analyst programs, but I wouldn't recommend them. The way banks like Goldman Sachs or JP Morgan are structured, they are huge institutions with established processes and training programs. They will teach you how to financial model.
You'll have analysts from the class above you who have time to mentor you, and you'll be staffed with people who help you succeed and grow. In private equity, you essentially need to come with the skillset already developed. This includes foundational Excel and PowerPoint skills, and at least some investor mindset. It's very difficult to have that coming directly out of undergrad.
Therefore, the real recommendation is to do banking first, and then go into private equity.