MF PE associates: what is next

I am a second year pe associate at a mf in sf. 
 

To other second year pe associates whose program is ending in 3 months, what are you thinking of for next steps? I like my fund but chances of promotion are low and not sure how i feel about moving downmarket as that seems to be a commoditized space. 

 
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How is anything more commoditized than MF?

 

Lower competition doesn’t mean less commoditised. We write near those checks and it’s very commoditised in terms of what you do because the companies are so large and everything is banked and advised to death

 

Makes sense on the operating experience point, have heard that elsewhere as well. 

Are you suggesting a chief of staff/ strat role out of b school to gain operating experience ahead of moving to VC? That is interesting and hadn't thought about it. Ultimately am interested in staying on the investing side longer term (vs. Ops) and wonder if a detour would take me "off the path" as it were vs. Recruiting directly out of B School 

 

MF is the most commoditized space and space with the least possibility for true upside unless you are the best of the best. The people who become MF partners are typically either absolute rockstars, investing geniuses, or political geniuses who are risk-averse. MM space is far less commoditized especially if you are operating in enough of a niche to where you can generate genuine alpha. MFs are simply too big to where they are almost nearly tracking the market(some exceptions like Thoma Bravo exist, but they are in a similar boat to where they are specialized). For returns and longer-term careers unless you are super risk-adverse, being creative and having a moat is much better than the boring old MF PE in terms of potential upside.

 

I’ve always thought MF PE is good for either (I)exiting to something else (ii) bragging to your friends about working at Apollo

If you want to stay in PE long term, seems much smarter to find a $1bn -$15bn total AUM shop that focuses on a niche you like, pays well, and has a good culture

 

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