Alex C in VC
On October 31st 2019, I saw a listing on LinkedIn that was too intriguing to ignore. I got excited just by reading the description! I immediately clicked on it and saw the qualifications for eligibility, which I inserted below.
Sheesh, I thought. On my very best day, I met, maybe, 0.5 of the four requirements. Despite feeling somewhat inadequate, my confidence never wavered. Although I felt anxious applying, I convinced myself to think that if I don’t get it, I would’ve understood because it’s what would’ve made sense. In the best case scenario that I do, then… What else can I say?
As with everything else that I do, I gave it my best shot.
A week later, I got this message…
The very first person I shared the news with told me: “you’re b u s i n e s s”
Thrilled would be an understatement to describe how I felt. That Tuesday will be unlike any other until another Tuesday comes when what I felt will be dwarfed by what I will.
It simultaneously felt surreal and not real enough.
It felt surreal because…
From ages 0-11, I lived in the Philippines. My dream career ranged from being an architect to not even thinking about one at all. Even then, I didn’t do anything that would classify as ‘pursuing my dream’ or exploring my interests. My mind consisted of just spending time with family and friends, nothing else. I didn’t know anything about the world of Venture Capital (VC). I doubt anyone that I knew and surrounded me knew anything about it either. We lived in a place where most people’s happiness came from getting anything for free and spending most of their time with family and friends. As a child, that was my environment. In hindsight, I can’t despise it more than I currently do but to each their own.
From ages 11-18, I no longer roamed the streets of Pasig, with my family immigrating to Los Angeles. With the diversity in LA, I had the pleasure to meet and form relationships with plenty of different people. My dream career evolved to becoming a psychologist as I thought there are plenty more interesting people that I have yet to meet. I figured I can study them, learn from their experiences, and help them however I can. From middle to high school, I still didn’t know anything about the world of VC nor heard anything about it. I doubt that anyone that I got to meet, from classmates to teachers, knew anything about it either. We lived in a place where people worked an honest day job from 9am-5pm and treated the weekends as rest days. No one had time to do anything else because they were “too tired” from working five days a week. These are the same people who saw cars and other materialistic possessions as a measure of success, regardless of its depreciating value or how irrelevant they are in the grand scheme of things. Not the best environment—definitely wasn’t my preferred environment—but to each their own.
Right before I graduated from high school, my AP Government teacher introduced me to the stock market, which, at the time, I thought was the best concept I’ve ever learned throughout my whole academic career. From that moment on, I never looked back. I became more curious than ever to educate myself on concepts and ideas I knew nothing about and focused on getting acquainted with the endless possibilities and opportunities that I didn’t even know existed. I simply just didn’t want to miss out on anything else that I thought can be very helpful in improving my life. From that moment on, I became unfamiliar with “ignorance is bliss” because I wanted to know as much as I possibly could.
I didn’t blame the circumstances I was in. I didn’t blame my environment. I didn’t blame the people that surrounded me because they probably just didn’t know any better. I didn’t like my situation but I dealt with it. When I got the chance to leave, for college, I took it. From that point on, I took solace in the fact that—whatever circumstances I may find myself in, whatever situations I may be in, and whoever I have surrounding myself with— my environment is now going to be all because of me. I continue to love it more and more with each passing day.
When I got to Silicon Valley in the Fall of 2017, I still didn’t know anything about the world of VC. I came in with heavy interests in business as a psychology major, which played a major role in my decision to join a club on campus. In the Spring of 2018, as a member of Spartan Hyperloop, I was introduced to what VCs are and what it is they do. When I first heard about it, the first thought that came to mind was: “wow, I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this before. Sounds like something I can do”. I immediately did some research and looked up some VCs, researched their background, and came out with the thought that I have a lot of work to do before I can be qualified. Nonetheless, I set a goal and aimed to be involved in it later on in life.
Simply, reading that message felt surreal because for the first 19 years of my life, I had no idea what VC was.
I can’t say it’s always been a dream because dreams are often said to be manifestations of our subconscious. It wasn’t even in my subconscious!
I can’t say it’s always been a dream because I didn’t even know it existed. I just found out about it two years ago!
I can’t say it’s always been a dream because when I finally found out about it, I made it a goal.
On the other hand, it didn’t feel real enough because I wasn’t slated to do it until the summer.
It’s real now.
Even though I said before that I don’t dwell about the past much because I have the future to look forward to and plan for, this is an exception.
This moment is special because I’m simply looking back to see where I came from to further appreciate where I am now.
Like I said before, what you want later might present itself now. It happened to me and I’m taking full advantage.
One way or another, I always had the confidence to know that I could find a way to break into this industry. I just didn’t think I would get involved at this point in my life.
No one is happier for me than me. No one is prouder of me than me. No one is more excited than me.
No more hints of inadequacies. No ounce of doubt. No trace of anxiety.
I’m here for a reason. I belong.
I’m going to soak up as much as I could and contribute as much as I could.
Maybe some will misconstrue my confidence with arrogance and my pride with hubris.
If that’s the case, then you don’t know me at all.
Although I can see the validity of the argument one can make that this article is about me completing a goal, it’s inaccurate and, again, speaks volumes to how much you don’t know me at all.
Writing this was cathartic but it’s time for me to go back to my regular mindset of looking ahead and planning for what’s next.
This is only the beginning of a new chapter in my life.