What an Associate at Aurora Capital Partners Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Private Equity Industry
Brandon, an Associate at Aurora Capital Partners, advises that a transition from banking to private equity is "very much possible," but cautions that the roles and expectations differ significantly. The skills required are developed "by doing the job," necessitating a humble approach and a willingness to "start from square one" despite prior experience.
Career Development, Job Search, Overcoming Challenges, Industry Realities, Entry-Level
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. The path to a private equity associate role is not always linear and can involve lateral moves from other roles, such as investment banking.
2. While banking experience can be helpful, the skills and expectations in private equity are different, requiring a willingness to learn and adapt.
3. Be prepared to reset your expectations and start from scratch in terms of skill development, even with prior experience, and be humble to learn from your colleagues and superiors
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
For me, I came from an untraditional background. You typically have to do your time in banking and then come in as an associate in private equity, moving up from there.
It's really a skillset you develop by doing the job and by doing the banking role. I just wish I had known about it earlier and also known that the path was there.
Speaking to MBA associates, if you're willing to take that lateral move from being an associate at a bank to an associate in private equity, it's very much possible. However, the roles are very different, and the expectations are very different.
You have to be humble because you may come in with a lot of experience, including banking experience. But at the end of the day, you don't know as much as other associates and VPs might know. You really have to reset and start from square one with skill development.