Me: - 15 yoe - had many near successes (acquihire, worked at iPo company that then ranked, etc) - currently in a part-time role at a venture fund Two offers: A. FB PM (e6)- $440 tc ($250 + 200 rsu) B. Smaller VC Principal- $210 tc ($140 base + $70 bonus)+ small profit share, with expectation of Partner in 4 years ($400k tc). In long run (10 years), VC will likely pay $1mm+ Concerns about FB PM — 1/ can anyone do this job for 10 years? 2/ will I burn out after 2 years, and look for another job? Concern about VC — 1/ will this get boring? 2/ cash comp is lower early on Need to decide in 2 weeks....
VC. You can always come back to PM . VC jobs are rare
I would also go for the VC job. It will give you so much exposure to startups (that get acquired) that you will be able to make the jump if you’re really bored.
I'd take FB PM. Here's why: Tech VC is a business where the top 20 firms get almost all the good deal flow. The rest have to pray to luck out. 15 yoe probably taught you again and again that the world is rigged, and you are likely starting this one on the wrong foot. Also, unlike tech, the brand follows you around in finance / consulting. Like McKinsey might never hire an obscure supply chain consultant. Further, this is the far end of the cycle in 2019-20. With FB, you get great TC, brand value and opportunity to join a better VC in the next cycle up. Many congratulations btw!
Very different roles. One is operational and the other is not. My 2 cents. VC is what you do once you are done with operational (exceptions for those who enter investing at a young age).
Facebook is a toxic workplace. Your expected total comp could net out to be same or lower than the VC gig if you were to calculate it over 5 year period. Stay away from Facebook and do yourself a favor and take the VC role. Have you ever thought why is Facebook forced to dole out such generous pay packages if the entire world is lining up to work for them ? It’s a highly incompetent politically toxic work place that takes a toll on health unless you are willing to play the game of sucking up and playing along. Plus there is a real possibility that they will end up getting regulated and the government will impose certain restrictions on their growth similar to that imposed on Wells Fargo.
Sucking up and playing along is par for the course in Bay Area tech...
I’m horrible at politics. My worry is that I’ll only last 2 years at FB, whereas I can stay in VC a while.
Do PM - you can do VC anytime . A PM can be VC but a VC will rarely be a PM
PM - You should target a bigger top 20 VC. Upgrading VC firms is really hard.
why is that?
OP what did you decide?
+1 facing something similar
What did you guys decide?
Seems like it would be easier to go from PM to VC if you end up changing your mind on what career path you want to go down versus the other way around?