“I’m a senior graduate student, and I’m trying to figure out my transition out of academia. I’ve been really interested in startups and learning about how to get funding if I have a startup. However, through this fellowship, I’ve actually become more interested on the venture side. It’s really cool to see that I can be a founder and possibly even be a venture capitalist in the future.”

“Just having this Fellowship on your resume makes for a great talking point and has definitely given me access to a lot of professional opportunities. It also shows potential future employers that I’m motivated and driven, so it gives me a professional edge. I’m also better able to network more effectively and strategically, a skill a learned as a Fellow. I still have plans to immerse myself in the world of VC and startups after I graduate in a few months, but the fellowship is already proving valuable to me in other ways.” 

It's very rare to be presented with an opportunity that intersects with one's skills, passions and interests, and this is what the Bridge Venture Fellowship gave me. It was incredible to receive mentorship from professionals in the venture capital space over the course of the 3-week fellowship. At the in-person mixer at Austin, Cheryl Campus shared an incredible story about her humble beginnings and unconventional path towards starting her company and becoming a VC. I also got to meet people like me who are making professional strides in the industry despite overwhelming odds.