Career Advice: VC, big tech, freelance (or something else)?
I want to start an online business in the next 5 years. I'm trying to figure out what I should do until then in order to gain the skills I'd need in the future and pay the bills. The idea is to work on this business idea on the side until I have meaningful traction. My background is mainly in management consulting and I am non-technical (I'm teaching myself basic code atm).
I'm contemplating between 3 different paths: VC Associate, Operations at a big tech company, and freelance.
- VC Associate:
I have an offer from a relatively new seed stage VC in Asia.
Pros:
- The compensation is decent
- I'll get to be at the forefront of everything that is happening in the startup ecosystem. Ie: Wide (but shallow) market knowledge
- I can network with founders and investors.
Cons:
- I won't actually gain experience building products, selling things, or operating a business since most of my time will be on analyzing and vetting ideas.
- Being a VC as a junior member is hard and overglamorized imo. Many entrepreneurs caution against becoming a VC early in your career since without operational experience, it's hard to empathize with your portfolio companies and/or add significant value.
- Biz Dev/Operations at Big tech: Think FAANG.
Still in the early processes of the application process.
Pros:
- Pays well
- Good brand name
- Reasonable working hours (to focus on side business)
- Can learn process
Cons:
- Cog in a machine?
- Become a freelancer (or something else)
This one is sort of a wildcard, but recently I've been teaching myself basic programming and UX design. I especially enjoy the subject of UX as it combines my interests in psychology and business. I'm currently taking the Google UX course, and I'm thinking once I have some projects under my belt, I can start doing freelance work?
Which experience would be most valuable for someone who is looking to start their own internet business in 5 years?
I'd appreciate any feedback or tips! Thanks in advance.
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Wow, those are some great paths that you could take. All are good. With the VC you will learn which ideas want to make you invest and which ones don't. In Tech you will learn a lot about the process. As a freelancer, you kind of have to learn everything. From project management to selling, etc.. Personally, if you feel confident with freelancing, selling, etc.. then I would try this out for a period and if you don't like it still take a job. But since you already have an offer from this VC firm I would probably lean into that first and try freelancing on the side, build a freelance business over time, and then transition.