I finished my undergraduate degree about a year ago and don’t have much experience with the corporate world since I was originally planning to pursue medical school. Now I’m stuck deciding between getting a Master’s in Finance or going for a JD/MBA combination. I’m starting to wonder if medical school is even worth it anymore given how expensive and time-consuming it is. From what I’ve heard, people in investment banking and private equity can make really good money and have a better lifestyle, but I’m not sure how secure those jobs actually are. Has anyone here made a similar career switch or can give me some insight into what it’s really like working in PE? I’m trying to figure out which path would be the smartest move for my future.
Switched tracks after undergrad too - it’s rough but doable. Went from engineering to finance and the learning curve was brutal. You’re starting from scratch while competing against people who’ve lived and breathed this since day one. JD/MBA probably beats a finance masters since it gives you more options if PE doesn’t work out. But honestly? Most PE people I know are miserable despite the cash - constant pressure, deals dying, LP headaches. Try getting an internship or shadowing someone before dropping money on grad school. At least with medicine you know what you’re signing up for.
Perfect timing! PE firms are desperate for people who can handle complex data and think analytically - that’s exactly what premed gave you. Start networking now and don’t just look at big names - boutique firms are great too. You’ve got this!
PE can be rewarding if you stick with it, but switching from premed is brutal. Most people I know who made it had connections or did banking first. A finance masters might help, but experience beats everything.
Don’t expect it to be easier than med school though - different grind, same brutal hours when you’re starting out.
First, figure out why you actually want to do PE beyond just the money. I’ve watched tons of career switches, and the people who make it usually have a real obsession with business operations, value creation, and strategic decisions - not just the paycheck. Your premed background is actually solid for due diligence work, especially at healthcare-focused funds. But you can’t just jump straight in. Target consulting or investment banking first since they’re the traditional feeders into PE. A JD/MBA combo gives you more options and could get you into legal or business development roles at PE firms as a starting point. As for job security - PE pay is performance-driven and cyclical. When the economy tanks, deal flow dries up and fund performance crashes, which directly hits your career stability. You need serious resilience and adaptability, though medical training actually builds those skills pretty well.