How to get hired at KKR, the PE giant that accepts fewer than 1% of intern applicants

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A career in private equity can be lucrative, offering a chance at high compensation, along with independence and the opportunity to create value by helping businesses. For many, though, getting a job at a top firm like KKR can seem impossible.

One way to break in is through a summer internship program, which KKR began offering in 2021. Each year, KKR hires a group of college students for a 10-week program that introduces them to the industry. The New York firm receives about 7,000 applications each year for its campus positions, but fewer than 1% chance receive an offer, according to Grace Koo, a managing director and head of talent acquisition on KKR’s human capital team.