Computer science skills guide intern at 1809 Capital
Intersections between computer science and finance drew CEC junior to an internship with a venture capital firm for Miami University's alumni network
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Collaboration doesn’t just exist in the bubble of a college campus; Computer Science junior Cody Schafer has jumped right into exploring intersections with his major that keeps his opportunities open.
Schafer found himself applying for an internship with 1809 Capital while taking part in the student-run venture capitalist firm RedHawk Ventures on campus. Founded, ran, advised, and staffed by Miami alumni and current students, the venture capital firm leverages the Miami University alumni network to invest in companies sourced by Miami graduates.
Schafer’s brother has a job in finance, and he’s always thought his work had several very interesting components, Schafer said. As he got into computer science, he started to notice how the two fields intersect and need one another.
“In computer science, we're taught a lot about ways to solve a problem,” Schafer said. “A lot of those analytical skills that you learn through an engineering major or computer science apply to the due diligence process and the analytical thinking that you need to do at a venture capital firm.”
The problem solving, communication, and collaboration needed for both industries is exactly what he was tasked with as an intern with 1809 Capital. He said the work began with preparing the firm for a meeting with its limited partners – those who invest in the firm.
“All of (our partners, limited partners, and portfolio companies) came together in this limited partners meeting, where we talked about the venture capital landscape,” Schafer said.
He helped with the communication tasks involved with planning and coordinating the meeting.
Schafer has also been working with the firm to do market research as it decides what companies to invest in later on and how the overall venture capital market is doing.
“We try to figure out if a company that's being pitched to us is a good investment decision, and we use a whole bunch of different analytics, both qualitative and quantitative,” Schafer said. “A lot of problem solving that I talked about that I've learned in computer science applies to that.”
Beyond his experience with 1809 Capital, Schafer is looking to find even more intersections with his diverse academic interests, including diving into cybersecurity – a field he notes is completely intertwined with computer science and business.
“I am trying to keep as many doors open as possible,” Schafer said.
And what led him down this path of open-door opportunity? The grass at Miami University.
“I liked all the open space,” Shafer said. “I came to Miami, and I liked all the grass.”
Schafer found himself applying for an internship with 1809 Capital while taking part in the student-run venture capitalist firm RedHawk Ventures on campus. Founded, ran, advised, and staffed by Miami alumni and current students, the venture capital firm leverages the Miami University alumni network to invest in companies sourced by Miami graduates.
Schafer’s brother has a job in finance, and he’s always thought his work had several very interesting components, Schafer said. As he got into computer science, he started to notice how the two fields intersect and need one another.
“In computer science, we're taught a lot about ways to solve a problem,” Schafer said. “A lot of those analytical skills that you learn through an engineering major or computer science apply to the due diligence process and the analytical thinking that you need to do at a venture capital firm.”
The problem solving, communication, and collaboration needed for both industries is exactly what he was tasked with as an intern with 1809 Capital. He said the work began with preparing the firm for a meeting with its limited partners – those who invest in the firm.
“All of (our partners, limited partners, and portfolio companies) came together in this limited partners meeting, where we talked about the venture capital landscape,” Schafer said.
He helped with the communication tasks involved with planning and coordinating the meeting.
Schafer has also been working with the firm to do market research as it decides what companies to invest in later on and how the overall venture capital market is doing.
“We try to figure out if a company that's being pitched to us is a good investment decision, and we use a whole bunch of different analytics, both qualitative and quantitative,” Schafer said. “A lot of problem solving that I talked about that I've learned in computer science applies to that.”
Beyond his experience with 1809 Capital, Schafer is looking to find even more intersections with his diverse academic interests, including diving into cybersecurity – a field he notes is completely intertwined with computer science and business.
“I am trying to keep as many doors open as possible,” Schafer said.
And what led him down this path of open-door opportunity? The grass at Miami University.
“I liked all the open space,” Shafer said. “I came to Miami, and I liked all the grass.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the Department Computer Science and Software Engineering? Visit their website for more information.
