Alternative Investment Fellowship Program

Launched in 2009, SEO’s Alternative Investment Fellowship Program (AIFP) is an educational program for recent graduates from groups under-represented in financial services.

The Program is open to SEO alumni and non-alumni.  The aim of the fellowship is to educate these young professionals on various aspects of the alternative investment industry and to strengthen fellows as candidates for positions in the alternative investment industry at the conclusion of their two-year investment banking analyst programs. Opportunities could include working with stand-alone alternative investment firms or within investment banking.  The AIFP provides year-long training, as well as exposure to the decision makers at participating partner firms.  

Participants continue to work full time in their current analyst positions during the fellowship period. Fellowship program activities are optional and take place during weekend and early-morning breakfast seminars so as to not conflict with work commitments.

SEO is very pleased to recognize Kohlberg, Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) as founding partner for the Fellowship program and TPG's leadership in partnering with SEO to make it an industry-wide initiative.  As the program develops, we expect other alternative investment firms to join SEO in helping educate and expose young professionals to this dynamic industry.

Why Alternative Investments?

Private equity and other alternative investment funds have taken on a major role in our nation’s economy within the last decade.  PE firms made equity investments totaling $234 billion in 2007 (Source: Preqin).  Employment at PE firms is often a coveted next-stage career opportunity for those with investment banking experience.  However, understanding of and exposure to these firms can be challenging.  SEO is building this program to help open new doors of opportunity and education for young professionals of color, and to help feed a pipeline of diverse talent for the industry.

Benefits to Fellows

·       Series of weekday breakfast seminars with PE professionals, Limited Partner investors and others.

·       Saturday (half-day) workshops to hone relevant analytical skills.

·       Discussions on the inner workings and thought processes behind successful private equity deals.

·       Introduction to the unique cultures of each partner firm in the program.

·       Familiarization with the vetting process for securing an offer with a PE or other alternative investment entity.