VC Summer Analyst --> Full Time?

So for context, I'm an undergrad currently working with a GP of a VC firm and networked with him over LinkedIn. He has an incredibly impressive resume (think PayPal mafia, 2x HYPSMW, Sand Hill Rd office), and I could grow under his wing and network, but the VC firm itself is still middle-market.


He seems to be really eager for help, and since we agree ideologically on so many things, I've gotten lots of insider project work from him. I don't understand all of it since I'm still a current freshman, and so I'm interning at a more structured, large (>$50B AUM) buy-side role this summer. I believe if I couldn't land a sophomore IB internship, I'd be willing to/want to work with his firm (middle market, $100-$500mm) since I'm not really diversity either. 


To make things short and simple, should I ride on my career being secure as a VC analyst and assistant to a GP right out of undergrad, or should I still try to recruit for sell-side, do my two years of IB, and keep him in my network for future work as his relatively new VC firm grows? I don't want to miss the ship and be slogging away at Goldman if/when his firm takes off, and I legitimately have found the ample amount of work I've done under him super insightful. 


Because we have a unique connection, I think he would love to have me on full-time, especially after I develop more career/technical skills this summer.


Should I ultimately then focus on buy-side research for him and gain his favor, hoping to be one of their only full-time analysts, or should I recruit traditionally like everyone else at my school? Again, sorry for the long, drawn-out question.

 
I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

As a college freshmen, you are at a great place with an internship lined up and growing/developing deep relationships. 

You have the right idea of maintaining and continually developing relationship with the investor you are more deeply connected with. Even if you end up pursuing an opportunity outside of his network or geography, do everything you can keep the the relationship warm considering how you two are hitting it off (for example but not limited to catching up in person once a year, seek his advice regularly, refer him any founders/deals you stumble across)

Career wise, i would encourage you to keep your options open by pursuing additional interns across different areas (whether VC, startup roles at different scales, PE/Growth Equity, Big Tech). Depending on your schedule during the semester and if you do have ample time on hand, possibly you can volunteer to do research work for the investor's fund while you can pursue a sell side role in the summer. Doing so will give you the exposure to realize your unique strengths and opportunities for those roles. You have plenty of time and take every available opportunity to identify where you want to thrive.

Good luck and go kill it!

 

Quidem eum mollitia sit consequatur ut magni illum. Consequatur pariatur consequuntur pariatur repellat nesciunt quia. Ut doloribus qui quia nesciunt. Sunt sint totam sed minima consequatur. Adipisci velit labore et earum quas dolor. Impedit ipsa et aliquam.

Possimus rerum quo accusamus voluptatem sed. In rerum consequuntur sint et aliquam deserunt ad. Sequi quae sapiente autem nostrum accusantium blanditiis repudiandae. Facilis nam sint officiis tempora iusto. Aut similique quaerat enim nemo blanditiis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”