Transition into VC from Private Wealth Management/CFP. Advice?
Hi all! I am new to this forum so thank you for listening to my personal career issues. Hopefully someone else has been in my position and can provide some insight.
Background: I graduated summa cum laude with a finance degree and a minor in entrepreneurship. I love the startup scene and am a due diligence volunteer with a pitch competition/grant startup here. I interned in finance at a huge sports company last summer and then come January 2015, took the first job I was offered: private wealth management. It is a salaried job, I make above average money for entry level, but it is SO BORING. My office is tiny and rarely has much for me to do at all, often I just sit here and read my CFP books. We put our investors in a lot of PE funds (including VC) which makes our firm unique, I guess. My boss is also paying for and MAKING me get my CFP. I am only 22 and I think the CFP is the worst thing that I have ever done - I HATE insurance. I am gonna finish out the year and hopefully find a better job (maybe even with a startup?).
My main questions are: Should I stick it out and finish my CFP? Will the CFP even make me add VALUE to potential VC firms or should I just leave soon in pursuit of a better, more applicable position? Could I transition to VC from where I am now or is there a better next step I should take (internship/M&A/loads of networking)?
Thanks!
Dingus
CFP is not relevant for VC/PE. what is your role? you haven't said anything about what your job is, only what you do all day. it sounds to me like you're in the rookie training program at a RIA or Merrill, and you won't be prospecting until you finish the CFP. my advice: ask yourself if you really want PWM or if you just took this job because it's a job. if the latter, get out ASAP, you're in the wrong career. PWM is not a stepping stone, it's the promised land and the last career you'll ever have...but only if you want it.
Thx for the reply. Yeah that is what I was worried about. You're exactly right, I am an associate wealth advisor. I took the job because of the salary and everyone said "it's better to just get a job in some finance field cuz it's easier to get hired when you are employed"... I don't want PWM, it's insanely mind numbing and dry and I haven't been happy all year. Where do you suggest I look to make the change?
well...you're interested in VC, so look at VC
A job at a startup is way more relevant to getting into VC than PWM.
Good to know. Does it matter what sort of role in the startup? Or can it pretty much be anything from financial to marketing?
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