Private Equity Secrets

Jahlen Brown

Welcome to Private Equity Secrets, hosted by Jahlen Brown, a Harvard Business School student and former private equity analyst. On this show, you'll get an inside look at private equity, business school admissions, and career growth from the people who have actually done it. Through interviews and candid conversations, Jahlen and his guests share the lessons, strategies, mistakes, and opportunities that helped them build exceptional careers. Whether you're trying to break into finance, earn admission to a top MBA program, or accelerate your professional growth, this podcast is for you.

  1. 6d ago

    65. How Much Do MBA Grads Actually Make (Banking, Consulting & PE)

    Want help with your MBA applications? ⁠Book an MBAApplication Strategy Call.⁠   If you're new here, my name is Jahlen Brown. I'm a HarvardBusiness School student and former private equity analyst. I spent four years working in the industry, closed over $1 billion in transactions, and worked 80-hour weeks while building my MBA applications. Today, I create content to help ambitious professionals break into elite careers, earn admission to topbusiness schools, and create opportunities they never thought possible.   How I got here...   20: Committed to breaking into private equity and became the first person in my family to work in finance 21 yrs old: Finally broke into private equity and started myfirst internship at a real estate fund. Became involved with Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO), helping underrepresented students break into competitive careers 22 yrs old: Graduated Rutgers University Summa Cum Laude and landed three private equity job offers. Began my career in acquisitions in NYC 23 yrs old: Became the protégé of Joe Plumeri II, former CEOof Citibank, Willis Group, and Primerica 24 yrs old: Private equity fund consolidated and learned Iwas getting shoved out. Experienced my first major setback and began searching for new opportunities 25 yrs old: Started a new private equity role, signed myfirst M&A deal, and decided I wanted to create even bigger opportunities for myself. I began preparing for business school while working 80-hour weeks 26 ys old: Accepted into 11 business schools, includingHarvard, Wharton, Columbia, Booth, and Dartmouth 26 ys old: Earned approximately $910,000 in scholarships,including full-tuition scholarships to Cornell and Yale 26 ys old: Became the first person in my family to attend anIvy League institution 26 ys old: Achieved all of this despite having a low GMATscore while working 80-hour weeks   Today: I'm attending Harvard Business School and documenting everything I learn about admissions, recruiting, entrepreneurship, investing, and career growth.   I grew up in a lower-class family, attended communitycollege, transferred to Rutgers, worked my way into private equity, and eventually earned admission to the best business schools in the world.   I was never the smartest applicant   I just refused to quit after I got knocked down   If you stick to your goals, you can do far more than youthink   To everyone chasing a bigger future:   Keep betting on yourself   Keep moving   Never quit   Jahlen Follow Jahlen’s other platforms: ⁠YouTube⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn

    22 min
  2. Jun 8

    64. How I Got Accepted To Harvard Business School (While Working 80 Hours A Week)

    Want help with your MBA applications? Book an MBAApplication Strategy Call.   If you're new here, my name is Jahlen Brown. I'm a HarvardBusiness School student and former private equity analyst. I spent four years working in the industry, closed over $1 billion in transactions, and worked 80-hour weeks while building my MBA applications. Today, I create content to help ambitious professionals break into elite careers, earn admission to topbusiness schools, and create opportunities they never thought possible.   How I got here...   20: Committed to breaking into private equity and became the first person in my family to work in finance 21 yrs old: Finally broke into private equity and started myfirst internship at a real estate fund. Became involved with Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO), helping underrepresented students break into competitive careers 22 yrs old: Graduated Rutgers University Summa Cum Laude and landed three private equity job offers. Began my career in acquisitions in NYC 23 yrs old: Became the protégé of Joe Plumeri II, former CEOof Citibank, Willis Group, and Primerica 24 yrs old: Private equity fund consolidated and learned Iwas getting shoved out. Experienced my first major setback and began searching for new opportunities 25 yrs old: Started a new private equity role, signed myfirst M&A deal, and decided I wanted to create even bigger opportunities for myself. I began preparing for business school while working 80-hour weeks 26 ys old: Accepted into 11 business schools, includingHarvard, Wharton, Columbia, Booth, and Dartmouth 26 ys old: Earned approximately $910,000 in scholarships,including full-tuition scholarships to Cornell and Yale 26 ys old: Became the first person in my family to attend anIvy League institution 26 ys old: Achieved all of this despite having a low GMATscore while working 80-hour weeks   Today: I'm attending Harvard Business School and documenting everything I learn about admissions, recruiting, entrepreneurship, investing, and career growth.   I grew up in a lower-class family, attended communitycollege, transferred to Rutgers, worked my way into private equity, and eventually earned admission to the best business schools in the world.   I was never the smartest applicant   I just refused to quit after I got knocked down   If you stick to your goals, you can do far more than youthink   To everyone chasing a bigger future:   Keep betting on yourself   Keep moving   Never quit   Jahlen Follow Jahlen’s other platforms: YouTube | LinkedIn

    21 min

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About

Welcome to Private Equity Secrets, hosted by Jahlen Brown, a Harvard Business School student and former private equity analyst. On this show, you'll get an inside look at private equity, business school admissions, and career growth from the people who have actually done it. Through interviews and candid conversations, Jahlen and his guests share the lessons, strategies, mistakes, and opportunities that helped them build exceptional careers. Whether you're trying to break into finance, earn admission to a top MBA program, or accelerate your professional growth, this podcast is for you.