Chantal Cox studied medicine and was working as a doctor in London before pivoting to finance.Here's her advice for making a career change into venture capital, as told to Ellen Nguyen.
By 14, I'd decided to become a doctor. My mother, a very resilient woman, spent over 20 years working in the NHS as a midwife and health visitor, so it wasn't surprising that I followed her path.I studied medicine at the University of Bristol in England for six years, between 2010 and 2016, including two years of preclinical medicine, a bachelor of science in bioethics, and three years of clinical medicine.
I know many people think you have to have a financial background to get into venture capital, but it's not true. I started as an early-stage investor at Octopus Ventures this year. You will need people in your corner to cheer you on and help you grow — people who can sponsor you and listen to you when times are tough. It's especially essential if you're from an underrepresented group.
You need to demonstrate what you bring to a team and why you're the person best placed to help the founders you'd invest money in.
I think you get more things accomplished being a doctor but that’s me 🤷🏾♂️