You recently became Lead Investment Analyst at Venionaire while also studying at Lauder Business School. How has LBS shaped and influenced your career path?
I started working at Venionaire in the third semester of my Bachelor's degree. The most difficult part for me at the time was figuring out which area of business interested me the most. Through various courses such as Finance and Investment, Project Finance, and Corporate Finance and Valuation, I was introduced to the fields of Private Equity and Venture Capital, and I was able to build a solid foundation of knowledge — which in turn prepared me well for my job interviews.
How did you get to Venionaire, and what do you value most about your work there?
I applied on the recommendation of an LBS alumnus who had previously worked at Venionaire. After two intensive interview rounds, I got the job. What do I value most? That my employer enables me to combine work and studies! That’s not something you find often, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity, as earning a Master's degree is important for both my professional and academic future.
You’re an outstanding student, were recently promoted to Lead Investment Analyst, and now lead your own team. How do you manage to juggle your demanding job with your academic responsibilities?
One of the most important skills for handling an intense workflow is good time management. You have to focus on the most important things in the moment, get them done, and then move on to the next tasks. I’ve written down all my work and academic goals, which helps me keep everything in perspective.
Which insights from your studies have proven particularly valuable in your professional life?
Understanding how important it is to work in teams and lead teams in projects! This is something heavily emphasized at LBS, and it gave me a fantastic opportunity to learn how to communicate with different people in different situations.
And what are your future career plans?
I’ll definitely continue working in Private Equity and Venture Capital, and perhaps take on and lead more independent projects. From an academic perspective, I would also love to teach in the future. I already have experience as a tutor and know that I really enjoy passing on my knowledge to others — maybe one day even as a professor at the Lauder Business School.