Private Equity and Venture Capital Alumni Coaching Connect
The Private Equity and Venture Capital Alumni Coaching Connect matches Chicago Booth MBA students pursuing careers in PE and VC with members of the Chicago Booth Private Equity Council, Polsky Council, and Chicago Booth alumni network for one-on-one mentoring and advising sessions.
This program is designed to support rising second-year students in the Full Time MBA Program, as well as returning students in the Evening/Weekend MBA Program as they enter summer internships and recruit for full-time roles in PE and VC. Through individualized mentorship with top practitioners in the industry, students will gain new perspectives and be better equipped to enter post-MBA roles.
During the spring quarter, students submit an application to provide more information on the desired role they are pursuing post-MBA, including targeted industries; the stage, size, and type of firm of interest; and geographic preferences. Students are matched with mentors based on this criteria. While we aim to connect all interested students with mentors, matches are not guaranteed and will depend on alumni interest and availability. We will reach out to all students who apply to confirm whether we are able to identify a mentor match.
The students and mentors then meet for at least two mentoring sessions, the first during the summer quarter, and the second during the fall quarter. Mentoring sessions are one hour each and are typically conducted by phone or Zoom. Following these two sessions, the student and mentor can mutually decide whether to hold additional meetings. Please note: these coaching sessions are not intended to be recruiting conversations, but rather opportunities for students to build their networks, learn from industry experts, and receive support as you navigate your job search.
Key Dates and Deadlines
Applications are currently closed.
If matched, students will be notified by June 12, 2026.
Application and Eligibility
Chicago Booth students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- MBA students in the full-time program are eligible to participate beginning the summer between their first and second year.
- MBA students in the part-time evening/weekend program must have completed at least two quarters and also be enrolling for classes during fall quarter 2026.
- While prior private equity or venture capital experience in not needed, applicants must be actively pursuing a post-MBA career in private equity or venture capital and have a demonstrated interest in the industry. Ideally, applicants would be participating in a summer internship in private equity or venture capital.
- EMBA students actively career-switching into private equity or venture capital are eligible to apply.
- Students in the Master in Management program and Master in Finance program are not eligible to apply.
While we will do our best to match every student with a mentor, students are not guaranteed a match and acceptance rates are based on alumni participation.
The Private Equity and Venture Capital Alumni Coaching Connect matches Chicago Booth MBA students pursuing careers in PE and VC with members of the Chicago Booth Private Equity Council, Polsky Council, and Chicago Booth alumni network for one-on-one mentoring and advising sessions. This program is designed to support rising second-year students in the Full Time MBA Program, as well as returning students in the Evening/Weekend MBA Program as they enter summer internships and recruit for full-time roles in PE and VC. Through individualized mentorship with top practitioners in the industry, students will gain new perspectives and be better equipped to enter post-MBA roles.
During the spring quarter, students submit an application to provide more information on the desired role they are pursuing post-MBA, including targeted industries; the stage, size, and type of firm of interest; and geographic preferences. Students are matched with mentors based on this criteria. While we aim to connect all interested students with mentors, matches are not guaranteed and will depend on alumni interest and availability. We will reach out to all students who apply to confirm whether we are able to identify a mentor match.
The students and mentors then meet for at least two mentoring sessions, the first during the summer quarter, and the second during the fall quarter. Mentoring sessions are one hour each and are typically conducted by phone or Zoom. Following these two sessions, the student and mentor can mutually decide whether to hold additional meetings. Please note: these coaching sessions are not intended to be recruiting conversations, but rather opportunities for students to build their networks, learn from industry experts, and receive support as you navigate your job search.