Entry-level Positions for Aspiring M&A Advisory Associates at PricewaterhouseCoopers
David, Director, M&A Advisory at PwC, indicates that entry-level positions exist for both undergraduates and graduates, with undergraduates starting as "associate" and MBA graduates typically starting one level higher as "senior associate" due to likely pre-graduate school work experience. David mentions the "learning curve tends to be higher" for new undergraduate associates, but despite this, they emphasize that PwC is "always filling up [their] pipeline with new graduates," highlighting available opportunities.
Entry-Level Positions, Undergraduate Roles, Graduate Roles, M&A Advisory, Career Path
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
David Samuel
Director, M&A Advisory
PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LLC
New York University
University of San Diego, MScGL and MBA
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Consulting & Related Professional Services, Technology
Consulting
Veteran
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level positions include Associate roles for undergraduates and Senior Associate roles for MBA graduates.
2. MBA graduates typically start at a higher level (Senior Associate) due to prior work experience before business school.
3. Undergraduates in Associate positions face a higher learning curve, requiring on-the-job training and repetition of transactions to gain a comprehensive understanding.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate or graduate student might consider?
We have roles for both undergraduates and graduates. As a recent undergraduate joining our team, you would start at the associate position. If you have an MBA, you typically start as a senior associate.
The senior associate position is one level higher. This is usually because those coming out of business school likely have prior work experience before starting their graduate program.
Unless you interned with us before graduating, you probably wouldn't have much experience in the deal space. This assumes you didn't work in private equity, investment banking, or another consulting firm in the deal space before grad school.
We do have entry-level positions. For undergraduates, the learning curve as a new associate tends to be higher.
Even with an internship, there's the academic side of your studies. The on-the-job training and repetition of doing multiple transactions take time to fully understand and feel in control.
That being said, we are always filling our pipeline with new graduates, so there are opportunities available.