The Private Equity Alumni/Student Coaching Program matches Chicago Booth MBA students pursuing careers in private equity with members of the Polsky Center Private Equity Council and Chicago Booth alumni network for one-on-one mentoring and advising sessions. Initially launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, the 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 private equity. 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.