Venture Capital Career Perks

Good morning.

Happy Valentine's day.

I am still trying to kick this head cold/flu. I am really unproductive.

Onward...

A few times a week I get great emails from college students explaining their focus and passions and asking for leads or insights on jobs and careers in my network.  This year I have been working with some Arizona State student/entrepreneurs (all under 20) who now come by the office once a week to brainstorm and talk social media and marketing growth tactics. I always thought it would be my alma mater calling me to come engage with the students, but it is the students tracking me down.

Because we now have a Social leverage office in Scottsdale, it is easy to host a monthly gathering of young college entrepreneurs at the office to hear a few pitches and to have founders in our portfolio pitch the students. I remember being 19 in college and though I had some business ideas, all I could really focus on was my grades and getting into a professional career path.  I dreaded that.

I imagine it is a confluence of things including social networks, productivity tools, e-commerce platforms and free time that has created this creativity and entrepreneurial mindset and spirit. 

I have also hit the age where most of my friends have kids thinking about internships and careers, so it is especially great to get letters out of the blue asking for introductions and ideas.

Most are really well written are sincere.  I can tell they have read my blog or looked through the Social Leverage portfolio companies to pinpoint a company or two.

This is a new favorite perk in my career.  I guess it fits with this 'era of generativity' I have entered.