Why I Left My Banking Job to be a Venture Associate

Tell us about yourself

I grew up in British Columbia (west coast, best coast) but my parents emigrated from Romania so I've always had a deep appreciation for the opportunities I was born into. This appreciation led me to pursue a variety of different subjects in school—varying from finance to computer science—all with the goal of learning as much as possible in order to make a difference in the lives of others. 

My interest in complex systems and efficient markets drew me to the sales and trading floor of Bank of America. I also worked on their quantitative investing teams. Ultimately, I’m happiest in an environment that requires improvisation, provides an opportunity for constant learning, and positively impacts the global community. When I’m not inside studying for a Masters degree in computer science, I’m getting lost in the great outdoors. 

What attracted you to AngelList Venture?

The company’s mission of democratizing venture capital spoke to a personal interest of mine, which is to help allocate money to those that need it most. Being part of building up the venture capital ecosystem was also a chance to contribute to the financial services industry in a positive-sum way rather than the traditional zero-sum dynamics. 

When did you know you ‘had to have’ the Venture Associate job?

After meeting the team, it was clear that the culture and attitude of the company was a great fit—everyone is passionate about the mission of the company and eager to make a lasting impact on the world. 

What skills have helped you be successful as a Venture Associate?

Problem solving is a critical skill needed as a Venture Associate. The questions we receive from fund managers could be anything from product-related to very specific customizations on their fund. We always have to consider the potential solutions to a situation that’s come up, along with the first- and second-order consequences. 

How has AngelList / the Venture Associate role exceeded your expectations?

The high caliber team and fund managers I get to interact with everyday constantly blow my mind. It’s hard to imagine another scenario where I’d get the same opportunity. 

What would you improve about the Venture Associate role?

Continuing to focus on automating administrative tasks and allowing Venture Associates to put a larger amount of their time towards advising fund managers.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve done (so far) at AngelList?

I helped with launch the first quantitative fund model focused on investing in early-stage startups.

What’s your top life hack for Venture Associates?

Give yourself goals to meet a certain number of new people a week. It’s easy to settle into a routine. Forcing yourself to meet new people is a great way to keep life exciting and entertaining.

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If you’d like to learn more about working as a Venture Associate at AngelList, feel free to contact Jenn directly at [email protected]