So I was talking to a friend earlier today about (what else) our upcoming interviews. He mentioned a Private Equity (PE) interview he's got lined up and we discussed how half the entire class would have applied to that job. One thing led to another and we came up with the following job search predictor based on our interaction with classmates and on some made up data for fun.

Here it goes:
- The PE guys want to get into hedge funds. If that fails, then PE will do.
- The IB guys want to get into PE.
- The consultants want to go into IB or IM (at least the few that don't want to go back to consulting and get their tuitions reimbursed). Or go into PE.
- The tree-huggers want to go into either IB or consulting (I keep bugging them about it, it never gets old...). Or go into PE.
- The industry guys want to go into consulting or GM. Or go into PE.
- The IT guys want to get into VC, PE or at least IB (if only for the summer).
- The marketing guys mostly want to stay in marketing, but switching companies. Or go into PE.
- The healthcare guys want to get into biotech or pharma. Or get into PE.
- The outliers from within all the groups above want to go into non-profits, startups, entertainment, sports management, the gambling industry, managing the family company, healthcare, education, etc. Or, you guessed right, into PE.

Is it similar at other schools?
L.

watch Pretty Woman

PE is selling your body to rich guys?

Your observation is not surprising when you consider the finance hierarchy

PE/HF/VC
IB
Sales
Broker/Insurance
Etc.

Everyone on the sell-side wants to work on the buy-side because there is so much less of a need to constantly satisfy clients. I have worked in PE for the past 2.5 years since undergrad graduation and I think it will be interesting what the "hot" industry will be when I graduate from b-school in 3 years. I think PE will continue to lose its luster as: the credit markets continue to be non-conducive to adequate financing, the media continues to scrutinize the industry, and carried-interest tax reform potentially wins out in Washington. In the meantime, it has certainly been an interesting experience beginning my career at what is perceived to be at the top of the food chain. I am happy to not have to work 100 hours, building pitch books and sourcing deals (although my first post-MBA job may very well likely be at a BB IB).

The grass is always greener!