I took an indirect path to an internship in VC. I've always been interested in building, testing, breaking, and growing things - including a plant I got on my first day of undergrad that lives to this day (thanks Mom) - but venture seemed like an unattainable place for someone with my background. Thankfully, I was offered the opportunity to work with the Costanoa team. After spending the last month and a half here, I couldn't be happier with the unconstrained learning environment. Outside of market and industry knowledge, the summer has also offered me a close-up opportunity to observe three particular traits that make for successful venture capitalists.