Ask HN: Career advice, I know 100 VC fund managers | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Career advice, I know 100 VC fund managers

I’m a software engineering leader (vague, I know), later career, and between jobs (and not in a hurry). I have gotten to know a lot of VC types, mostly solo-capitalist variety since I though I might want to do that, but now I am not so sure. I sometimes help others produce events utilizing my network.

I’m not sure what to do next. Having too many options feels almost like having none at all. Nothing seems like the obvious next step. I feel like I have a weird set of mixed experiences that mash up into nothing useful. I’m too in the weeds to notice. Ironically, I’m excellent at helping others in such situations, while being blind to my own.

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I'm in a similar situation myself, in terms of having an interesting and varied background, but not much of an obvious next step.

Some classical advice is to focus on what problem you can solve for people, and focus on being the go-to guy for that.

If you have a great network / like to put on events, then maybe do that? Some kind of TED for VCs? Or even just a regular meetup / dinner and drinks, and you can hear about peoples opportunities and job offers...

I bet if you sit in a quiet dark room, all alone, in silence, with no distractions possible... and say out loud "What is my next step?" and wait 10 minutes... you'll get a very clear answer in your head. It may not be the answer you think you want to hear, or even the answer you think others would give you. But rest assure it'll be the best think possible for you to do.

Underrated advice.

I do this all the time.

You would be amazed at what quieting yourself down for 20-30 minutes a day will do for you.

> Nothing seems like the obvious next step.

Rather than focusing on "next steps", it might help to think 10 years out and work backwards.

Where do you want to live? When do you want to retire? How do you want to spend your time? How busy do you want to be?

It sounds like your network is of no value to you right now because you don't have a clear vision of your future.

> I sometimes help others produce events utilizing my network.

I'm organizing a tech conference right now!

Feel free to schedule a quick call with me and we can chat about your career vision.

I'd also like any event-planning wisdom you have to offer :)

[1] https://outland.sh

[2] https://calendly.com/taylor-town/30min

Here’s some advice. Never say this again, “I know 100 VC fund managers.”

I dunno… who you spend time with can be quite clarifying.

It could be a similar story like ”I’m a product manager, and I know 100 ML engineers” — maybe that person should be a recruiter instead.

Why not talk to a few executive headhunters?

They can sometimes chart career paths or pivots that you might not have seen or thought about.

The good ones have their finger on the pulse of things and could offer some insights.

Can you recommend websites of some good ones who excel at charting career paths?

Could you works as a scout for one or more VC’s? This way you help people who you might believe raise funds and you get to keep some small fraction of the transaction either as cash finders fee or stock options or both. Can be started on the side and in a few years become something substantial. I have no experience in this area but just a thought.

Sounds like you should start a fund?

What do you want to do.

Brusque I know.

But it's important.

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