VC Analyst vs. Growth Equity vs. Consulting vs. IB

I might have an opportunity to work full-time at a medium-sized VC firm I worked at during an internship. I would be their only pre-MBA employee, so training and salary would be limited. I would basically have the freedom to act as a partner, just without the ability to make final decisions on investments. During my internship I had free reign over how I spent my day and had the chance to meet with company CEOs and VPs by myself (even companies that have raised $15 milllion+) and either evaluate the companies for investment or offer strategic advice to current portfolio companies. The fund's partners are all top-MBA's, but the firm is generally unknown outside its main investment area (which is, however, the area I'm most interested in). I would most likely join a portfolio company, create my own, or pursue an MBA after a couple years.

I also have quite a few other opportunities in front of me (i.e. working at a top growth equity firm, IB, or consulting firm).

In some cases, my other opportunities might give me 1.5-2X the compensation, a bigger name, more secure future prospects with jobs or an MBA, and a lot more standardized training. However, I'm tempted to do the VC role because I enjoyed the learning experience so much, and I'm essentially obsessed with entrepreneurship and technology. I want to have a career as a tech founder and/or investor (I've had success as an entrepreneur in the past).

Am I crazy, or is this reasonable? I'm wondering if I'm simply being too impatient and there is value to be gained from consulting/ib/growth equity work before going into VC or starting a company, seeing that almost everyone in the industry does so in the case of VC.

Thanks for any wisdom you have to offer. Sorry for the long-winded post!

 

"I'm tempted to do the VC roll because I enjoyed the learning experience so much, and I'm essentially obsessed with entrepreneurship and technology."

There's your answer.

 

^I appreciate your response, sorry about the sp.

Do you think it could really be worth the risk and cut in pay (55-70K vs. 80-100K)?

 

Consider it an investment in your future. You're much more likely to be successful at something you're passionate about than something that you're not. Besides your entry level salary means nothing, it's all about the skills you learn to progress towards higher positions/goals.

 

KingPhoenix- thanks for your response. Unfortunately, I can't send PM's until I get "15 bananas", could you possibly PM me instead? I would definitely be interested in learning more from you.

Determined- I appreciate your response as well.

 
Best Response

Speaking as someone who went into VC without IB/consulting/growth equity experience, I'd say that those experiences DO help. In my opinion, having a chance to break into VC pre-MBA is extremely rare and you should take advantage of the opportunity to do so. You'll gain great experience and be set up very well for a MBA and I could easily see someone moving from VC --> consulting or IB, even if it's pre-MBA. You might end up losing some experience making the switch and potentially have to start as a first-year analyst though. On the other hand, if you do want to do IB/consulting/growth equity first for the skills/$, you will still gain some great experience, however it's no guarantee you can break into VC later.

Basically to summarize, if you take VC now, you can always go out and do something and it'll be much easier to break back in, but if you do something else now, it's no promise you can get back into VC.

 

Nulla placeat autem totam eum totam. Et ab deserunt sed. Ipsa reiciendis esse sit. Et veritatis ducimus natus nulla dolorem reprehenderit dolores. Aut soluta omnis eos vel cupiditate et non. Quia ut vitae veritatis animi eligendi aut. Qui vel voluptate est similique dolorem iste numquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners New 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 01 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 24 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners 18 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (206) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (148) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”