Should You Jump Into VC Right After Undergrad?

Hi! I’m glad you’re here. You’ve made it to issue #36 of VC Demystified🪄.

My name’s Nicole - I’m a Principal at an early stage venture fund, and I know firsthand that VC can often be a black box. Breaking into the industry may feel daunting and resources can seem scarce and inaccessible. I wanted to put together a newsletter to give others the playbook I wish I had when I first started.

Here’s to the last newsletter of 2024!🥂 Thank you all for being here the first year I launched this platform. If you thought about becoming a premium subscriber to VC Demystified at any point in 2024, be sure to do so by year end before 2025 pricing tiers kick in! I’m grateful to have you here.

Today’s deep dive: Exploring the pros and cons of taking a VC role as your first job

My personal mission is to open as many doors as possible for other people and this newsletter is just one avenue to do that. As always, I will continue to post VC insights daily across my socials for those of you who prefer those channels.

Exploring the pros and cons of taking a VC role as your first job

I get asked consistently about when the right time to start in VC is, especially from those just graduating from univeristy. Many wonder if it’s possible to jump right in post-undergrad or if having more years of experience sets you up better for success.

The truth is it depends.

Starting your career in venture capital straight out of undergrad is a pretty rare (and exciting) opportunity. If you happen to land a role that early in your career, you’re very lucky, but you should understand that it won’t all be smooth sailing.

If you’re thinking about taking the leap, you’re probably wondering:

• Is VC the right place to kick off my career?

• Will I learn enough, or should I build more experience first?

• Are there better stepping stones, like consulting, startups, or finance, before jumping in?

Let’s break it all down—the pros, the cons, and the other paths you might want to consider—to help you figure out if VC is the right move for you right now.

So, Should You Jump Into VC Right After Undergrad?

My quick take: you can do it, but it comes with some unique challenges.

Why It Can Work

For early-stage VC, most of what you need to know can be learned on the job. From sourcing deals to supporting portfolio companies, the day-to-day tasks don’t necessarily require years of prior experience.

If you’re passionate, curious, and willing to hustle, you can succeed in venture straight out of school.

The Disadvantages of Starting in VC Right Away

That said, jumping into VC right after undergrad does have its downsides. Here are two big ones:

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