Bessemer-Aleeza Hashmi (Long Post)

[jaahmuhl]

Transcript: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SznfWaHtbvtEp9n6J_V4nRfXtmWbJvxl?usp=sharing

Raw Content: https://www.rev.com/transcript-editor/shared/hny8NKtinT_4fDFl2cRRUpg9bRmjri88Ly7Aj7ERQJppJSvgxJeTuxDqO34O7mF_zUMHPtPSZOE7-jSW-jpNpcc2FkY?loadFrom=SharedLink

[carolineradke]

Only include 0:27-36:20

Caption

Being open-minded, inquisitive, and focused on your individual career path are three things that helped Bessemer Venture Partner's Aleeza Hashmi become one of the top VC investors. In this interview, Aleeza shares her advice about switching majors in college, working at differently-sized companies, the value of a pre-MBA internship, and getting your foot in the door with VC's by building early networks.

[carolineradke]

Intro clip

10:58(in my head...) - 11:42(...in five years?)

Intro

Hello hello everyone (EXCITED AND WITH ENERGY) welcome back to Office Hours. A show about how to make a successful jump from college to young professional life. We know that landing your first job can often be an intimidating, complicated and stressful process, but its not impossible! (UP ENERGY) And we’re here to help by giving you access to some of the brightest minds in business to get their advice for how to build a successful career. Take what you can (short pause), pick what you like and listen for that stroke of brilliance that you can use to help you get hired.

I'm Caroline Radke and with my co-host Brett we chat with Aleeza Hashmi, an Investor at Bessemer Venture Partners. She has a wide range of experiences from startups to massive corporations like Microsoft, and everywhere in between. And Now as an investor she has built an impressive track record in her new field.

(Background) Although Aleeza works at a top tier investment firm, she started out just like us as a student. And oddly enough she wasn't even interested in investing. In fact, when she first came to Harvard, she was actually on the pre-med track. Both of her parents were physicians and she didn't have much exposure beyond medicine. For 2.5 years, she studied on the pre-med track but she was also history of science major, which exposed her to thinking about technology more broadly. And when as part of that major she had a chance to explore tech, she got so deep into it that she actually decided to found her own startup while she was in school, which is what ultimately led her to Venture Capital. But it wasn't an immediate transition out of undergrad. She first worked at Microsoft, before then joining UiPath. After working in Big Tech and a startup, she then went to Wharton for an MBA which opened the door to became an investor. It was a long road, but a well thought out path. And even though she is a big advocate for planning, she cautions people, especially students, against overplanning. Two-year and five-year plans are good and beneficial she says, but anything more than that can become overwhelming.

Bessemer Venture Partners where Aleeza works is a Venture capital financing company. It was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Along with their investment dollars to help a startup expand, Bessemer is focused on helping entrepreneurs lay strong foundations to build and forge long-standing companies. Bessemer supports founders and CEOs from the earliest of days through every stage of growth. They have over 135 IPOs and 200 portfolio companies in the enterprise, consumer, and healthcare spaces.

(Analysis) In this interview, we touch on important points that any student should hear. Whether it is about staying focused on your individual goals, changing career paths, or coming back to school for an MBA, Aleeza has the advice you need to hear. She also dives into how you can build the skills to plan more effectively while also touching on how to get your foot in the door for VC companies. Being curious and attentive to those around you, as well as broadening your experience by working at differently-sized companies allows you to build a better, more effective network early on. There was a lot packed into this episode and we are excited to share this one with you

[jaahmuhl]

@carolineradke Missing Intro Clip

[carolineradke]

added intro clip

[jaahmuhl]

@carolineradke good to record

[carolineradke]

podcast intro:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uUQM0XZUKkjzc7rXx-BQ7ZkbvHPVkdTC