E201: Anthropology Transitions to Venture Capital (VC) in London

# **Unique Path from Anthropology Major to Venture Capitalist: WSO Podcast Episode**

[](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID)

Hello and welcome! I’m Patrick Curtis, your host and chief monkey, and this is the Wall Street Oasis Podcast. Join me as I talk to RexBanner, a member of our community, about his unique journey from being an anthropology major to becoming a venture capitalist. Rex shares his early ambition of becoming a lawyer, the struggles he faced as a non-target university student, and how he eventually pivoted to management consulting after studying at the London School of Economics.

In this episode, you will gain valuable insight into different career paths and life in general. Listen now to discover the amazing story of RexBanner and his inspiring journey.

**Listen to the full episode on:** [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wall-street-oasis/id1463441793) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/7nQxuApNXFkUSvojQGKyAQ?si=GrYh2zIHSsub8S8xIX0PjQ&nd=1) | [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/show/wall-street-oasis-2)

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*Keywords/Tags:* wall street oasis, wallstreetoasis, finance interviews, networking advice, wall street interviews, finance careers, Wall Street Oasis Podcast

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*Full Transcript:*

[00:00:00] Patrick Curtis: Hello and welcome! I’m Patrick Curtis, your host and chief monkey, and this is the Wall Street Oasis Podcast. Join me as I talk to some of the community’s most successful and inspirational members to gain valuable insight into different career paths and life in general. Let’s get to it.

[00:00:29] Patrick Curtis: In this episode, member RexBanner shares his unique path as an anthropology major to venture capitalist. We learn that initially he wanted to be a lawyer, but when he figured out that was not a great idea, the struggles he went through from a non-target for uni, and how eventually he pivoted to management consulting out of the London School of Economics. Enjoy!

[00:01:03] RexBanner: RexBanner, thanks so much for joining the Wall Street Oasis Podcast.

[00:01:05] RexBanner: No worries, happy to be here.

[00:01:06] Patrick Curtis: So, it would be great if you could give the listeners a short summary bio.

…

[00:06:47] Patrick Curtis: Exactly, exactly. And did you ever consider investment banking, that corporate finance, did it kind of open the idea of investment banking to you as well? Or was consulting always the main goal here?

[00:06:57] RexBanner: So, it was yes and no. Yes, when I was at … So, one of the big differences between coming from non-target camp to target LSE is just the exposure you get to, especially being based in London, to all the different banks or the different consulting houses. And I was, I remember on careers day, I was a bit like a kid in a candy shop where you’ve suddenly got all these huge brand names that you recognize coming at you, and which one is it that I want to do? And I threw my name into every single ring possible. And so, I did go through the M&A recruiting as well at the big investment banks. Didn’t get very far with them, unfortunately, but I didn’t have the right kind of background to be going into them. But it definitely was something I did consider, although probably not as seriously as the people and my friends who did actually end up going down that route.

[00:07:42] Patrick Curtis: Right, right. And so, sorry, the transition from LSE, was that difficult? And like, how did you even get in with an anthropology? Like, do they accept a lot of anthropology degree people, or do they like that kind of varied background? I mean, I assume. I think I’m …

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*Source Links:*

1. [Wall Street Oasis Podcast – Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wall-street-oasis/id1463441793)
2. [Wall Street Oasis Podcast – Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/7nQxuApNXFkUSvojQGKyAQ?si=GrYh2zIHSsub8S8xIX0PjQ&nd=1)
3. [Wall Street Oasis Podcast – Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/show/wall-street-oasis-2)
4. [WSO Courses](https://bit.ly/2ESzrv2)
5. [WSO Resume Review](https://bit.ly/2Z0DFYq)
6. [WSO Mentors](https://bit.ly/3lIHoUi)
7. [WSO Events](https://bit.ly/350vMGd)

In this episode, member RexBanner shares his unique path as an Anthropology major to venture capitalist. We learn that initially he wanted to be a lawyer, when he figured out that was not a great idea, the struggles he went through from a non-target for uni and how eventually he pivoted to management consulting out of the London School of Economics.
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WSO Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wall-street-oasis/id1463441793
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7nQxuApNXFkUSvojQGKyAQ?si=GrYh2zIHSsub8S8xIX0PjQ&nd=1
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/wall-street-oasis-2
———————————————————–
WSO Courses: https://bit.ly/2ESzrv2
WSO Resume Review: https://bit.ly/2Z0DFYq
WSO Mentors: https://bit.ly/3lIHoUi
WSO Events: https://bit.ly/350vMGd