How to excel as a newbie Analyst in a VC firm? CFA or something else?

Hey - first of all thanks for all your responses!

I have been an avid lurker on WSO and would really appreciate your advice. Quick background, I have recently started as an investment analyst in a tech-focused VC firm (2 weeks in) and so far it has been great but also intimidating. I have to review slide decks of industries where I am a complete novice but I am hoping with experience I can climb that hurdle.

I have successfully completed CFA level 1 and I am questioning whether I should continue to get my charter or do another qualification which would help me further advance in the VC industry.

  1. Any advice for someone who is just starting off as a VC?- books/podcast/ reports/blogs to read
  2. What qualifications should I focus on? CFA? MBA? Master in AI? etc

Any help is much appreciated

 

i'm not in VC, but I prepped for it for intermittently throughout the last four years.

here's three books that are quick reads and can potentially add to your knowledge base (note, you will probably have known about most concepts discussed in these books already, but it doesn't hurt to see different perspectives):

Zero to One by Peter Thiel - more focused on the startup side of things Break Into VC - very, very short primer on basic things you should understand in VC (e.g. MRR, ARR, churn/burn rate, DRR, revchurn, etc) Smartcuts - details of various hustlers who made it through unconventional methods (although not entirely focused on VC/startups, it's still relevant because of the atypical life/career paths that startup founders experience)

Real Estate Professional Network Discord Server: https://discord.gg/xxWQ2nC
 

Curious what type of fund you landed at? A) What's the AUM? B) Corporate VC or independent fund? C) Ivy league school? D) How many analysts are there?

If you're working at an Insight Venture Partners/TA/Summit, you'll learn everything on the job. If you're earlier-stage and lower AUM somewhere smaller like Menlo Ventures, you'll need to brush up quick, which leads me to my next question. How did you get the job?

I'd recommend listening to every single 20 Minute VC episode, joining twitter, reading Secrets of Sand Hill Road, Venture Deals, Zero to one, etc.

You should figure out what sectors interest you and try to become an expert in that both intellectually and networking-wise. I'd make sure to reach out to all the junior VCs in your domain to connect on potenital deals.

 
Most Helpful

Molestiae et dolorum qui. Quia esse aut ea alias impedit saepe similique. Totam aut et optio nostrum consequatur cumque. Fugit nobis ab aliquam aliquid omnis aut ea.

Voluptas qui est totam facilis ut consequatur cumque deserunt. Sint vitae est tempora veritatis. Qui dolorem est ea deserunt mollitia consequatur dolor et.

Qui et magni culpa beatae. Quia culpa et accusantium incidunt est accusamus earum. Magni non sit deleniti quibusdam.

Quia non ut nihil voluptatem rem quas. Qui repellendus reiciendis omnis deserunt aut sit. Debitis et aliquid possimus quasi rerum cupiditate cupiditate. Ut asperiores aut aperiam quod quis.

Created a 1-step skincare solution for men. Purchase + reviews appreciated: www.w34th.com

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 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

March 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

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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

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...”