I am in London. A Friday night conversation is stuck in my head. Out for drinks with the UK office, I met a Dane who had just (that very day) been promoted to partner at a London VC firm. We got into talking, and he asked me what I planned to do after business school. ‘Make the world a better place’ I said, and laid out my idea of having a successful career in the private sector to then be able to spend time and money on non-profit work – hopefully avoiding the inefficiency and bureaucracy of the public sector along the way.
Mr. VC listened, smiled, and shook his head. He wanted to know if I had ever done any project work (I have not). He then volunteered some of his own background – his work for the world bank, the idea that he would gain experience in the private sector to then return to the public sector. How the “return” part hadn’t happened.
His advice to me: ‘Do project work, see how you can make a difference and where you can add value. See if it is for you. If it is, don’t go back to finance or consulting after business school. Work for an NGO or IGO. If you make your career in the private sector, you won’t leave it.’
I think he’s right. I also think that I don’t want to give up all the luxuries that come with the path that I’ve started on. Looks like I need to reconsider my aspirations, and figure out what truly matters to me.
