Olivia Grivas
How a degree in science led a graduate to a successful career in finance.
We spoke with Olivia Grivas, a Bachelor of Science (2018) and Bachelor of Laws (2020) graduate. Olivia explains how her degree combination taught her ways of learning that helped her excel in the finance industry.
I wanted to study the slightly unusual combination of Law and Science, so I was looking for a university where I could get a world-class experience in both! Both the Sydney Law School and Faculty of Science are known for being phenomenal places to not just earn a degree and get a job, but really fall in love with learning.
Growing up in the Blue Mountains and having to move to Sydney for university, a lively campus life with tonnes of opportunities to engage in societies and sports was also super important to me. I met some of my best friends playing for the Sydney Uni Hockey Club and helping set up the Women in Science Society.
I am a venture capital investor at Skip Capital
My role involves investing and working with the next generation of incredible technology companies. We’re a generalist technology investor, and the companies we work with are innovating in areas such as climate tech, fintech and health tech.
In my role I’m responsible for sourcing new investments, conducting research and then once we invest, supporting those companies as they grow. We’ve been lucky to invest in some of the world’s most successful tech companies like Canva, Culture Amp, Safety Culture, Figma, Airwallex and many more!
My degrees drilled into me how to think in a structured way.
In science, the scientific method and hypothesis-led thinking are part of every experiment and academic paper. Law requires building a strong, evidence-based argument. I use these skills every day in my investing role!
We often have to develop hypotheses about how a technology like AI or hydrogen will develop, and then test that through research and customer interviews.
Every investment culminates in a written investment thesis, which steps through the logic and evidence of why we should invest.
It would probably be the work I’ve done in the climate-tech space.
Getting to apply my knowledge of environmental science to make investments in tech that can significantly reduce or even reverse global emissions makes me pretty proud.
I studied geography because I wanted the technical knowledge that would help find solutions to climate change.
“I studied geography because I wanted the technical knowledge that would help find solutions to climate change. ”
Olivia Grivas
I wrestled with imposter syndrome.
I didn’t believe I was qualified enough to apply for the position and still doubted myself when I got the job. I recognise that there are environmental, cultural and systemic factors I am unable to control that are contributing to this internal struggle. To combat this, I had to learn to trust in myself and not only accept my failures but also proudly celebrate my successes.
Be a great communicator.
No matter the career you choose, communication is at the core of everything. It is an important skill in all industries but there is a clear gap in communication between those inside the scientific community and those outside.
So the best thing you can do to be a better employee, colleague and scientist, is to improve your communication skills. Good communication will get you very far, great communication will get you wherever you want to go.
