Stuck between Investment Banking and Venture Capital career paths

Hey, totally understand the dilemma. Both are great options.

IB gives you a strong technical base and keeps a lot of doors open, especially if you might want to move into PE or VC later. It’s intense but very solid training.

VC is awesome if you love startups and want to work closely with founders. It’s more strategic and less execution-heavy, especially at the growth stage.

If you’re unsure, pick the one that builds the skillset you haven’t had much exposure to yet. Either way, you’re not locking yourself in forever. Lots of paths are still open after both. And careers zig-zag more than ever.

Good luck, exciting choices ahead!

Simon

Choosing between investment banking (IB) and venture capital (VC) is a pivotal decision, as both paths offer distinct experiences and long-term career trajectories. Investment banking, known for its intense, fast-paced environment, provides rigorous financial training, exposure to high-stakes deals, and strong analytical skills through tasks like financial modeling and pitchbook creation. The hours are grueling—often 80-100 hours per week—but the role offers unparalleled exit opportunities, including private equity, hedge funds, or corporate strategy, with median summer analyst compensation around $85,000-$100,000 (pro-rated). IB also builds a broad network across industries, which can be valuable for future pivots. However, the work can feel transactional, with less direct engagement with company operations or founders, which might not align with your interest in startups.

Venture capital, particularly at a growth-stage fund, offers a more entrepreneurial environment where you’d work closely with founders, dive into market trends, and influence company strategy through due diligence and portfolio support. VC internships are less structured, with more variable hours (typically 50-70 hours/week), and compensation can range widely ($50,000-$80,000 pro-rated), but the role fosters creativity and long-term thinking about innovation. Exit opportunities are less defined, often leading to startup roles, corporate VC, or further VC positions, though breaking into top-tier VC later can be challenging without early experience. To decide, reflect on whether you prioritize financial rigor and broad exit options (IB) or hands-on startup engagement and longer-term bets (VC). Try speaking with professionals in both fields via informational interviews to clarify which culture and workflow excites you more, keeping in mind that IB skills can often transition to VC later, while VC experience is harder to leverage into IB.

Hey There!

This is a great position to be in, and your thinking is on the right track. Investment banking gives you a rigorous foundation in financial modeling, deal execution, and working under pressure. It opens doors to roles in private equity, corporate development, and sometimes even VC later down the line. If you’re unsure about your long-term path, IB can serve as a strong platform that keeps many options open.

On the other hand, if you already know that working with early-stage companies and founders excites you more than large-scale transactions, a VC internship might be a more natural fit. 

It offers a chance to build judgment around product, markets, and founders—skills that are less emphasized in banking. One approach is to start with IB, gain a strong analytical toolkit, and then pivot to VC with a clearer edge. But if you're deeply passionate about the startup ecosystem now, don't ignore that pull. Think about where your energy is highest, and where you'd learn most in the short term. Either way, both choices can lead to rewarding careers—you just need to commit and make the most of whichever path you take.

Hey! 😊

Simon summed it up really well – just to add: Go with what genuinely excites you day-to-day. Crunching deals or brainstorming with founders?

You’re in a great position, and nothing’s set in stone. Either path can lead to amazing careers.