Pick 2–3 careers to compare side by side.
| Category | 🏦 Investment Banker | 🏗️ Private Equity Associate |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Role | Role |
| Direct entry? | Yes | Yes |
| Salary Range | £70,000 – £500,000+ | £120,000 – £600,000+ |
| Weekly Hours | 80–100 hrs/week | 70–90 hrs/week |
| Intensity | Extreme | Extreme |
| AI Threat | Medium | Low-Medium |
| Top Firms | Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Barclays | Blackstone, KKR, Carlyle, Apollo |
| Exit Opportunities | Private Equity (most common IB exit — requires 2 years Analyst experience) · Hedge Funds (long/short equity, event-driven, macro) · Corporate Development (M&A in-house at corporates) | Larger PE fund (moving up-market) · Portfolio company executive (CEO, CFO of a PE-backed company) · Family office / direct investing |
| Pros | Elite network for life · Best financial modelling training in the world · Unmatched exit opportunities | Carry can be truly life-changing wealth · You own companies, not just advise · Tremendous deal exposure |
| Cons | 80–100 hour weeks are real — not exaggerated · Your social life disappears for 2 years · Highly hierarchical | Nearly impossible without banking experience first · Long illiquid time horizons · Hours are nearly as bad as banking |
Shared across all selected
Investment Banker — unique
Private Equity Associate — unique