Choosing between startups and VC.

This is my standard response to the VC question...

http://www.thisisgoingtobebig.com/2007/06/how_to_get_star.html

Start sourcing some deals on your own... become indispensable. And meet with the firms, too. Just hit the pavement.

The venture capital industry is shrinking, so this may not be the right time to get into it. However, if you see it as a step to founding or joining a startup then it still might be a decent career step. There are several shops that have active outbound sourcing programs, such as Insight, Battery, Opus. Later stage firms like TA and Summit also have undergrad sourcing roles. I wouldn't bother approaching any of these firms unless you've got solid grades from a good university. They are pretty snotty when it comes to hiring.

There are many VCs that hire young folks to do legwork. The most typical background for that kind of role is Top Undergrad Program (think top 20 in USNews) + some entrepreneurial past + 2 years at an investment bank, consultancy or successful startup. You can find them by looking through the VCs webpages, finding the staff page and looking for the associates/analysts.

A word of warning, VC isn't really a career path for very many people. In fact, a cynic might contend that VC is a post-retirement hobby for successful executives and entrepreneurs. In other words, you don't see many partners that began as associates/analysts.

I worked for several years for a couple of VCs and found that it provided me with a great network and a sense of business context that is much broader than that of my friends that worked at other jobs. The job is also pretty fun and not that stressful.

Just be prepared to leave the nest after a couple years and join a real company.

As another option, there are many people that have built careers starting a company, building a team, handing over the management, and then leaving that company to try it all over again. Typically you could see a completely new company every 2-3 years in that fashion, which might satisfy your urge for variety if you can't get into VC.

There are also many service providers that help growing tech companies, which might work for you.

Thanks much, it's a huge help!

Definitely clarifies things. Thanks for the site, I'll try to answer whatever questions I can on path101 as well.

I have no idea if anyone else reading this is considering VC as an analyst, but if anyone else might benefit, my own plan for building credibility is:

• Publish research in tech journals or open to the blogging community. I'm currently studying "What makes a successful iPhone app?", attempting to correlate specific features, characteristics, and business models in mobile software startups with long-term revenues. Obtaining data so far through meetings with CEOs/relevant executives, as well as app analytics companies such as MobClix. Hopefully Pinch Media soon.

• Keep writing a blog, market analysis and interviews

• Consulting/advisory work. I honestly didn't start until I read the article on your blog, but I'm doing some unpaid work on both market research, front-end development, and marketing for a few startups.

• Start formal academic program placing Computer Science/Information Systems students at New York startups. Provide events, programming and speeches from entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to support student education. I still need to work on setting this up with my school.

• Volunteer for relevant conferences, set up informational interviews with entrepreneurs and VCs. Try to give back either through software development work, connecting them to other CS students, or deal sourcing.

• Create my own businesses. Startups aren't the best stepping stones, I may not do VC, but I'm in the process of closing a seed round. It's the first time I've raised outside financing, so I can familiarize myself with the industry while focusing on running my own business.

• Enter app development competitions. Currently entering the Code7 contest for Windows 7.

My apologies, dashes did not display properly.

Formatting is a bit off.