Friday, May 31, 2013

How to Get a Venture Capital Internship

Internships at venture capital companies are highly competitive, but also very rewarding. An innovative, fast-paced field of business, venture capital firms provide capital for high-risk start-up companies. Venture capital companies succeed by conducting extensive research and creating predictive financial models. As an intern, your responsibilities can range from researching possible ventures, to monitoring growth within currently financed start-ups. Specific qualifications, time frames and salaries differ between companies, so reading the entire internship description before applying is essential.

Suggestions

  1. Search the internship database at your school's career center. Print the information for all internships at venture capital firms including the internship description, preferred qualifications and relevant contact information.
  2. Compile a venture capital companies list through your own research of internship websites like Simply Hired, Monster Intern or Wall Street Oasis. Record the same relevant information for each company. Expanding your search beyond the opportunities mentioned at the career center improves your chances of landing an internship at a venture capital company.
  3.  Write a resume detailing your experience in the sector financed by the venture capital companies. For example, if applying to a venture capital company that finances media start-ups, describe your experience and skill level working with different types of media. Be honest but creative in how you highlight your expertise. Include relevant coursework such as any classes you took in entrepreneurship or financial modeling.
  4. Read through the internship descriptions and apply to ones that match your availability and qualifications. Some smaller companies offer only part-time, unpaid internships during the school year, while others have full-time positions available during the summer. Being flexible improves your chances of securing a position.
  5. Follow up with the company's contact person by email or phone one week after emailing your application. Explain that you are very interested in the position and wanted to confirm that they received your application.

Tips

  • Make any contact you have with the company extremely professional, including using formal salutations and titles. Change your email to something professionally appropriate, if you haven't already done so. Any combination of your first and last name is acceptable. Never use exclamation points or emoticons.
  • Don't be discouraged by rejection. Continue submitting applications and resumes until you secure a position.
  • Be flexible with your preferences. Don't discount the internship in San Francisco just because all your friends are interning in New York City. Also, be open to working at firms that finance start-ups outside your first-choice ar
  • ea of interest.

How to Become a Venture Capitalist

Companies are built on dreams. An entrepreneur with a great idea and the desire and know how to implement it may need some additional help to get the plan off the ground. This is where venture capitalists come in. They provide a great service for companies that need seed money and senior level management to move to the next level. Here’s how to become a venture capitalist.

Suggestions

  1. Understand how the venture capitalist serves a company and him or herself. VC’s know to access a business to determine how it will receive a return on its investment. Without sufficient ROI, the VC cannot make money to invest in the next big thing. The VC has also built a reputation as a leader and offers management services to companies in need.
  2. Find VC’s in the business. Networking is crucial in venture capital circles. Knowing who the players are and how to get in front of them is half the battle. Do the homework and always be prepared when the opportunity presents itself.
  3.  Look for jobs within organizations backed by venture capitalists. Find opportunities in the financial investment industry. These types of positions often lead to an introduction to someone in the venture capital circle.
  4. Be consistent. There is no direct path to a career in the venture capital industry. Getting discouraged is a sure fire way of stopping before ever starting. Celebrate small victories and keep journals to benchmark daily and monthly activities. This will help to determine which methods work best to reach the ultimate goal.


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