Venture capital internships

Hey guys,

I'm sure this question has been asked but I couldn't find it. I'm a junior at a small MN school. In MN we don't really have any major VC firms so placement coordinators at my school don't know much. I'm looking for a VC internship, and I've done my homework so I know their rare but I'm very determined. I currently have an internship at a wealth management firm so I would be looking for something summer 2013.

So where are these internships usually posted? Where should I look? Who should I call? I've gone through the job boards I usually use and I can't find much. Also, I'm obviously willing to re-locate because I understand there isn't much in MN. Any pointers or tips you guys have would also be appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 
Best Response

Four points

1) Contact as many alumni as you can to learn about their paths and see who they can hook you up with.

2) Most VCs are in NYC and San-Fran/Palo Alto Area

3) Determination is commendable but it is moronic to have your sight set on something you barely understand in a field you have little to no experience with. Trust me all the articles you read barely shed light on the VC world. In addition, you haven't experienced the rest of the finance industry - why VC???

4) There is a paucity of spots for non-targets at VC firms, there are a paucity of spots for targets so get cracking and start networking!

 

+1 for the SAT word. I don't think I've ever yet heard anyone use "paucity" in lieu of "scarcity".

For the OP, I'm assuming you go to a relatively selective school in MN like Carleton College, so you should have some alumni lurking around the industry. Start making connections as soon as possible. Coming from a small school is actually a gift in that regard, what alumni you have will be more likely to help you. Odds are you're going to have to volunteer your time, although of course you should apply to formal internship programs if you happen to come across them.

At the end of the day, don't let your "determination" cloud your judgement. Make sure to get a solid internship experience this coming in summer, whether in finance, consulting, VC, whatever it may be. The most common route to VC is entrepreneurship/startup experience so if that doesn't sound like you, make sure you hedge your bets in finance. Cheers,

IG

‎"Until and unless you discover that money is the root of all good, you ask for your own destruction. When money ceases to become the means by which men deal with one another, then men become the tools of other men. Blood, whips and guns or dollars."
 

This is a tough goal, but why not go for it. Not to demoralize you but the 2 current interns at my fund are both top 10 MBA students, and those are unpaid positions. Just and fyi.

I'd take the advice of those above and spend the next 2 months going for it. BB internship apps for IB, S&T, ect will close early december. Make sure you get a good 5-10 internship apps in to these programs. You need to make sure, no matter what, you get a solid junior/senior summer internship, even if it isn't VC.

Best of luck.

"If you want to succeed in this life, you need to understand that duty comes before rights and that responsibility precedes opportunity."
 

I think you definitely need to aim lower in terms of VC caliber - and you probably need some kind of edge that a regular banker/consultant can't bring. 1 kid I know did it by publishing an industry magazine and now covers that sector at a VC fund. Another had sold his start up when he was a sophomore in college. I would probably focus on VC funds that recently spunout of a larger brand name. They probably have a strong team but still need analyst support

 

I think both would look great although there are so many established start ups and CS is in such big demand that I'm sure you can find something if you really tried and networked. I just wish I had that opportunity. I'm a senior a Dartmouth so it's straight into banking for me, too bad. If there's one advice I'd give you is that if you are a sophomore you can always do banking in your third or heck your senior year coming from Stanford, take chances and explore other opportunities.

 

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