Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Associates at Aurora Capital Partners
Entry-level private equity roles are scarce for undergraduates; the typical path involves first working as an investment banking analyst, gaining "foundational excel and PowerPoint skills," before transitioning to a private equity associate position. This route is preferred because large banks provide structured training and mentorship, unlike many private equity firms' limited analyst programs.
Investment Banking, Private Equity, Financial Modeling, Analyst Programs, Lateral Moves
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. Entry-level positions in private equity are limited directly from undergrad, internships are available but not a typical path.
2. The typical path is to work in investment banking as an analyst post-undergrad or MBA, then transition to private equity.
3. Investment banking provides crucial training and skill development (financial modeling, Excel, PowerPoint) and mentorship needed for a successful transition to private equity, unlike most private equity analyst programs
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
There's not much directly available from undergrad. You can intern at private equity firms, but the usual route is to first join investment banking as an analyst.
Alternatively, after an MBA, you can start as an associate. After a year or two, you can then move to a private equity firm in an associate role.
Some private equity firms offer analyst programs, but I wouldn't recommend them. Large institutions like Goldman Sachs or JP Morgan have established processes and training programs. They'll teach you financial modeling, and you'll have senior analysts to mentor you.
In private equity, you generally need to come with the necessary skills already developed, or at least a strong foundation in Excel and PowerPoint. You also need some investor mindset. It's challenging to acquire that directly out of undergrad.
Therefore, the recommendation is to work in banking first and then pursue private equity.