Education · 1 of 5

The path

Venture is almost never a first job. People arrive from somewhere else.

1. 1

   High school

   Grade 12

   Math, economics and writing. Build something: a club, an app, a small business.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 to 5 years

   Engineering, computer science, commerce or the sciences are common. Co-op terms at startups help a lot.

3. 3

   A first career

   2 to 5 years

   Banking, consulting, a tech or science job, or working at a startup. This is what you get hired for.

4. 4

   Get into venture

   1 to 3 years of trying

   As an associate after banking or consulting, after an MBA (Master of Business Administration), or as a former founder or operator.

5. 5

   Climb, or leave

   8 to 12 years

   Associate to principal to partner takes about 8 to 12 years. Most associates leave first.