optimusTR wrote:
Kudos for the helpful topic!
I am planning to apply at November Rd and I was curious about the possibility to reach to alumni that works at PE?
My career plan is to land a merger consulting job right after MBA and switch to PE in the long run. I know it is very difficult to jump to PE w/o relevant background, that's why I think I might need alumni network to increase my chance on the switch.
Or do you guys think own network rather than alumni network will be of strategic importance after having worked 5+ years after MBA?
May I have your precious thoughts please?
Cheers
Once you at Tuck, the alumni definitely come into play and PE is no different. However, you are correct in saying PE is generally a difficult industry to break into mainly because marketing or tech or banking, they don't hire 10s of interns or full time employees. They will hire 1 or 2 when the need arises. Merger consulting may not get you into PE unless you are looking at operational roles for PE funds (think consulting for PE portfolio companies). If you really want to go into PE in an investment role then banking would be a more natural route as that move is far more common.
As for whether your own network is more important than the alumni network after MBA, that question is not easy to answer because:
1) They may have overlap certainly after attending an MBA program a lot of your own network overlaps with the MBA network
2) It depends on industry because if you work in a especially niche area then your own network may be more helpful but if you are looking to switch industries and think about a switch an alumni network would be receptive in taking your call
Overall, Tuck's alumni network is very strong even after way after graduation. We have many reunion events on campus and the attendance is usually very strong. Add that to our high alumni giving rate, it shows that alumni are engaged in the school and that they will forever be a source of help/advice if you need it.