Insider Guide Careers in Venture Capital PHẦN 8 ppsx

Lifestyle and Culture

The lifestyle of venture capitalists varies widely. The industry is filled with

workaholics who toil around the clock to stay ahead of fast-changing technology

industries. “Your calendar is a slight representation of what you end up doing.

My entire day is interrupt-driven,” says an insider. “My time is my most

valuable asset. You’ve got to switch contexts, issues, and frameworks all the

time. Some people like that; some people hate it.” Insiders say that once a

venture capitalist is established, the lifestyle can be better than in similar hard￾driving, high-paying industries.

The VC culture is much harder to peg. Since most VC firms are small, the

partners really set the tone, so culture at firms varies widely. Partners more

focused on doing deals will take a hard-line, almost I-banking, approach. Partners

who spend more time working with entrepreneurs might have a more informal

attitude. However, since there is so much competition—and since moving to

another firm isn’t the easiest thing to do—one associate says, “Get to know the

culture and make sure you fit. If people like you, you’ll do well.”

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The Workplace