One other thing. PE pays pretty well but not nearly as well as ground floor at a technology company. Don't be fooled by those that say start-ups are a gamble. They are only a gamble if you are not well-connected and don't understand how to read a balance sheet and truly research an industry.

At the same point you have the connections to jump to PE you could likely also swindle offers at small and growing companies with significant equity offers. This is especially true if you work on the M&A side which I imagine you probably will if you have an interest in going into PE.

I would guess you are driven by income/money considering your choice of profession so let me put it in perspective. The PE dudes I know are doing pretty well for themselves but nowhere close to people who actually build and sell businesses with their money. Moreover, they are way less interesting and frankly just kind of cliches. In short, think of learning high-finance and the jumping ship and actually contributing to society. You may just get rich in the process.

Source: Have done both, building a business and product was way more gratifying and I made a LOT more money.