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February 9, 2007 Vol. 77, no.
5S
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| PHOTO COUTESY OF
JON FUNK |
Career Corner with CE alum Jon Funk
Career Corner features interviews with alumni about their career choices
and their career advice.
Jon Funk (B.S. ’77 CE) is a cofounder and managing director of
Allegis Capital, a Palo Alto–based venture capital firm. He has
been in venture capital since graduating from business school at USC in
1981, concentrating on startups in information technology, and has
been involved with many successful companies, including Sandpiper Networks,
Shopzilla.com, Rent.com and Staccato Communications.
What do you like about your work?
It’s fun to work with very smart, aggressive people at the leading
edge of innovation, and the financial incentives are completely aligned.
When a company we back is successful, the team we backed is rewarded,
and my partners and I are rewarded. On a broader scale, when it’s
successful, when this kind of innovation happens, jobs and wealth are
created. The venture capital process is one of America’s greatest
assets. As for where I am now, I’m a managing director with Allegis
Capital. I’ve managed to do well enough so that now I’m partially
retired. I’m able spend time with my teenage kids and pursue
other things I enjoy such as math, surfing and whatever else comes
along. But I still love venture capital.
How did you go about finding your interest/passion?
It was more or less by accident through a part-time job in my second
year of business school. But once I discovered it, venture capital
sounded like the best job in the world. I remember thinking that I
would pay to do it as opposed to the other way around.
What do you recommend students do during school to prepare for a career?
Pay attention to what you love and what sounds really fun. Don’t
be afraid to take risks when you’re young. Gamble and try
new things. Look for new experiences.
What’s the secret to landing a job?
Be passionate about the job you want and let your potential employer
know that. If you have options, and one captures your imagination above
the rest, make sure you tell whoever interviews you.
Have additional questions? E-mail jfunk@allegiscapital.com.
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