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The choice would appear to be a no-brainer: Cash a check from an energized investor and launch your own startup company — or dedicate two years after graduation to working for an early-stage company in a struggling city.
Boston College senior Miguel Galvez chose the latter.
Galvez, a native of Danvers, Mass., was recently named one of 28 Venture for America Fellows from a pool of hundreds of applicants from around the nation. Venture Fellows are selected on the basis of intellectual ability, accomplishment, demonstrated leadership and initiative and mission-oriented communication skills.
Modeled after Teach for America, Venture for America aims to pair eager entrepreneurs with startup companies in distressed communities nationwide. Launched just last year, Venture for America seeks to generate 100,000 US jobs by 2025. The organization currently places college graduates in New Orleans, Detroit and Providence in an effort to spur growth and enterprise.
A biology major and National Merit Scholar, Galvez once envisioned himself as a dentist, but a brief soiree into entrepreneurship changed the course of his professional life. Galvez and two friends developed and launched a social networking app for those on the dating scene, a task involving a lot of work and sacrifice.
“The beauty of entrepreneurship is that you live through the startup. You get to experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows,” said Galvez, who worked in Biology Professor Ken Williams’ research lab. “That passion is what fuels everything that I do. I never could imagine myself in a typical 9 to 5 job. I need an emotional connection to my work.”
When Galvez learned about Venture for America, he saw a way to live out his passion for entrepreneurship while contributing to a struggling city.
“I think this is a great opportunity to get experience in a community that really could use some help,” said Galvez, who is interviewing for job placements in New Orleans and Providence.
Galvez said the happy dilemma of working at his own for-profit startup or Venture for America – both opportunities came on the same day — involved a lot of soul searching.
“It was exciting to have two great opportunities. I went with the one that I felt was the best option for me at this time in my life,” said Galvez, who will live with other Venture for America Fellows during his two-year placement.
“I was most impressed with the people who make up VA. They are a great group: talented, hardworking and driven. Through the interview process I was able to meet some of the other candidates who have been selected and am very excited to be a part of this.”
For more on the program, see http://ventureforamerica.org/