Promoting private equity as a career option for women
The Level 20 outreach programme targets universities and business schools as well as young professionals, offering career support, industry insight and skills development across all of our international chapters.
It is vital that the industry works to attract more women into private equity; building the female talent pipeline for the future.
Aims & objectives
Insight
Educate students and young women early in their career planning about the opportunities in the industry
Exposure
Provide work experience opportunities for students to learn about private equity
Access
Break down barriers and demystify entry into the industry
I have a high interest in sustainability and would be highly motivated to join a private equity firm to further drive this agenda and direct impact through decision making.
Attendee at the most recent Danish Private Equity Female Academy
Internships
Internships are a great way for young talent — that may otherwise have not considered a career in private equity — to experience the sector. Industry insight programmes attract a breadth of talent from a wide range of backgrounds.
Level 20 UK partners with Girls Are Investors UK (GAIN) on the Empower Investment Internship Programme, matching female students with private equity firms for summer internships. In 2024, a quarter of placements were to Level 20 firms.
Level 20 outreach committees run webinars and in-person events in partnership with multiple business schools and universities discussing routes into private equity and how to break into the industry. These initiatives build awareness amongst young female students and provide real life experience and advice from current private equity professionals.
You can find our current internship opportunities by clicking here.
Young professionals
Working with business schools and universities, Level 20 runs outreach events across Europe, speaking to students and young women at the start of their careers. Private equity professionals and Level 20 members take part in events sharing their experiences and insight; providing a bridge for many who would not otherwise have considered a career in the industry.
Reaching out
Outreach events across Europe including speed networking for early career professionals, insights into the market and networking events, and interview prep and case study workshops.
Level 20 France worked with France Invest to visit several universities and business schools across France, including the Sorbonne, Grenoble Business School, ESSEC Business School, Toulouse Business School and ESCP Business School.
Student sessions in the UK included panel events at Cambridge Judge Business School and London Business School.
WHU University, Germany, and the University of St Gallen, Switzerland, featured in outreach efforts by Level 20 DACH.
And PE Academies and Insight Days were held in the Netherlands and CEE, with topics including the due diligence process and selection of investment projects, ESG and non-financial reporting, venture investing, building portfolio value and a career in private equity.
Interview skills
The multi-stage interview and application process for entry into private equity can be a barrier. Working in collaboration with search firm partners and sponsor firms, Level 20 runs interview skills workshops and CV preparation sessions to demystify the process. Topics covered include LBO modelling, approaching case studies and interview tips.
Networking
For women who are interested in making a move into private equity, Level 20 offers opportunities to network with private equity professionals. We partner with specialist search firms to host events which give firms an opportunity to connect with young women interested in private equity.
Without my internship, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now. It opened my eyes to the possibilities offered within the world of private equity and enabled me to forge connections that are still strong today.
Participant in the GAIN internship programme
There is also a focus on supporting young female professionals joining the industry. Collaborative networking events have supported junior career women in developing awareness of private equity, as well as meeting with other professionals through both digital and in-person networking.
Current opportunities
The firms below currently have internships open for application.
Please visit the firm’s site for further information:
Oslo
FSN Capital Partners, one of the fastest growing private equity fund advisors in Europe, is looking for a Private Equity Intern to join their Investment Team.
This posting is located in their Oslo office and starts in August 2025 for 6-12 months, though the timings are flexible for the right candidate.
Visit website
Munich
Riverside Europe Partners is seeking a talented and motivated individual to join their Private Equity Investment Team in Munich, Germany for 4-6 months.
Riverside is a global investment firm focused on being one of the leading private equity and flexible capital options for business owners and portfolio company employees at the smaller end of the middle market by seeking to fuel transformative growth and create lasting value.
Visit website
Germany
Armira Beteiligungen are a leading German entrepreneurial investment holding with over €3.0 bn assets under management.
They are looking for candidates for a 3 – 6 month internship, in either their Growth or Mittelstand investment teams, starting Q4/2024 or 2025.
Visit website
Germany
capiton is a private equity investor focused on SMEs, mainly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
They are looking for an intern with 2+ years bachelor or masters level to join their investment team for 3-6 months.
Visit website