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Rachel, Vice President at Compass Diversified: Advize Career Interview
A Vice President at Compass Diversified, a career in private equity offers a dynamic blend of quantitative analysis, strategic thinking, and relationship building.
This multifaceted role involves evaluating investment opportunities, managing portfolio companies, and supporting business growth across diverse sectors like consumer products and healthcare.
Success requires strong analytical and communication skills, along with a competitive spirit and intellectual curiosity.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in professional development, highlighting the importance of learning from experienced colleagues.
A background in mathematics and strong communication skills are beneficial, and a differentiated perspective can be a significant asset in this field, proving valuable in navigating various business challenges.
The path to private equity often involves gaining experience in investment banking or consulting first.
This career offers significant intellectual stimulation, impactful contributions to the economy through supporting smaller businesses, and the chance to make a real difference in business success and customer experiences.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Rachel Koh
Vice President
Compass Diversified
Amherst College
N/A
Spanish & Other Languages
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Honors Student
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Career Path of a Vice President at Compass Diversified
Rachel's private equity role at Compass Diversified involves "evaluating new investment opportunities," which includes assessing operational details, competitive landscapes, and financial projections, as well as "managing our portfolio of companies," supporting their growth, and aiding in acquisitions. This highlights a multifaceted career focused on strategic investment and portfolio company development.
Main Responsibilities of a Vice President at Compass Diversified
A day in the life of Rachel, a Vice President at Compass Diversified in private equity, involves juggling multiple projects, "spending more time maybe in Excel doing quantitative analysis" or "performing diligence on a new investment opportunity," and coordinating logistics through emails. The work is dynamic, with "every day...pretty interesting 'cause it really can vary quite a lot."
A Day In The Life Of A Vice President At Compass Diversified
Rachel, a Vice President at Compass Diversified, emphasizes the dual importance of strong analytical skills—"enjoying working with numbers and data," and "critical thinking"—alongside crucial "softer skills" such as effective communication and relationship building, noting that interacting with various stakeholders, from investment bankers to management teams, is key to success in their role.
Most Important Skills for a Vice President at Compass Diversified
Rachel, a Vice President at Compass Diversified, enjoys the diverse learning opportunities "across interesting sectors" like consumer products and healthcare, allowing development of expertise in identifying patterns of business success and failure. This insightful approach allows for prediction of which businesses "might be more successful than others," showcasing strategic thinking vital to the role.
What It's Like Being a Vice President at Compass Diversified
Rachel's role as Vice President at Compass Diversified presents the challenge of managing "multiple projects at once," requiring strong time management and prioritization skills. This demanding role necessitates intentional efforts to balance work with personal life, emphasizing the importance of "making time for things that really matter."
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Vice President at Compass Diversified
Rachel, a Vice President at Compass Diversified, finds fulfillment in responsible private equity, stating that it plays "an important role in the economy" by supporting smaller businesses and providing "capital and strategic guidance." This allows Rachel to help business owners and management teams achieve growth, ultimately benefiting customers through improved products and services.
Favorite Parts of Working in Private Equity as a Vice President
Rachel, a Vice President at Compass Diversified, highlights intellectual curiosity and a "pursuit of knowledge" as crucial traits for private equity success, emphasizing the competitive nature of business acquisitions requiring determination and a "competitive spirit to prevail." The constant learning and need to "get to the right answer" are key aspects of a fulfilling career in this field, according to Rachel.
Speak Up To Thrive At Work From A Vice President At Compass Diversified
Rachel, a Vice President at Compass Diversified, wishes she had felt more empowered to "speak up and make [her] voice heard" earlier in her career, because senior team members value junior input more than junior employees often realize. This highlights the importance of expressing opinions and contributing ideas regardless of seniority.
What A Vice President At Compass Diversified Wishes They Knew Before Private Equity
Entry-level private equity roles rarely hire directly from undergraduate programs; a typical path involves gaining two to three years of experience in investment banking or consulting, "most private equity firms typically look to hire people with maybe two to three years of experience in those fields". Investment banking and consulting firms offer internships to undergraduates, providing a potential route into private equity after obtaining full-time offers.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Vice Presidents at Compass Diversified
Rachel, a Vice President at Compass Diversified, emphasizes the importance of mentorship, describing it as "an apprenticeship model" where learning occurs by "being in the room" and absorbing insights from experienced colleagues. This approach, according to Rachel, is "the best way to learn" and crucial for professional growth.
College Experiences That Helped A Vice President At Compass Diversified Succeed
Rachel, a Vice President at Compass Diversified, emphasizes the importance of mentorship, describing it as "an apprenticeship model" where one learns by "absorbing insights" from experienced colleagues. This approach, Rachel suggests, is "the best way to learn" and crucial for professional growth.
How Identity Has Influenced a Vice President's Career at Compass Diversified
Rachel's mathematics background proved unexpectedly valuable in "quantitative analysis," but more importantly, it instilled "logic and how to problem solve." Strong communication skills, honed through critical thinking and persuasive writing classes, are equally crucial for effectively conveying investment theses and "selling that idea" within the firm.
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