Confused between big corporates and startups

I am a new grad working at a big MNC as a Data Analyst. It's extremely beurocratic and slow. We do meets all day and no work, it's as if we are paid for meetings. I was quite excited about it as I though I would be working on interesting ML projects (I find ML and AI quite interesting). But all I have been working on is projects where you try to maintain fucked up legacy stuff. I see a way out, startups where I would actually build stuff, use my skills to solve actual problems. Is this perception correct? Will work actually be more interesting and useful in startups? I am also concerned about the pay? Although I earn a pretty average salary even here, I suspect it might be lower in startups. But I have a gut feeling that I will learn, and grow a lot more working at startups coupled with networking with entrepreneurial people which should result in higher earnings in the long run. Again is this perception correct?

baffledwaffle

Stealth

a year ago

Not working on the engineeing side, so this might sound generic. Startups may or may not be your way out. The fancy venture backed “fAst gRowiNg” company that you see on LinkedIn may not be that great. I work in sales, 2.5 YOE, 4 companies till now, all startups, few stuff I’ve noticed. 1) The product may be hit for a niche audience, but may not be able to scale. Sometimes the team won’t prolly be competent enough to expand into adjacent verticals too. 2) Some products might get saturated after a series B stage ie if it’s a good product you’ll obviously have 4-5 competitors by the time you reach a big size. 3) Some companies are just being build to sell not scale, got this from some investor on twitter. 4) When you think about rich learning curve when joining a startup, what you’re promised may not be what you get when you join. My suggestion is not to jump frequently, do the boring stuff so that you develop patience and learn as much as you can from your peers and Amex is prolly a good logo on your cv. Use this time to learn/read/research about other stuff and go into the thing you want to be good at, get active on Linkedin and slowly you’ll prolly have a list of good places that is doing things that interest you.

AutumnGadani

American Express

a year ago

I understand, what you say makes a lot of sense. I just kinda feel I am wasting the years of my life where I can learn and grow the most by doing this pseudo-sarkari job.

baffledwaffle

Stealth

a year ago

@AutumnGadani Might sound cliché, but you’ve got to do the shitty stuff too, so you can enjoy the good stuff later. It’ll broaden your view more. You’ll get to understand more about yourself, maybe the stuff you thought you like may not be your forte. Moreover you’ll understand more about the structured way of doing stuff rather than winging it, I’m never gonna get into an MNC with my credentials.

TepidFanny11

Freelancer

a year ago

Get Outta corporate if you want to learn some real skills, and build something valuable. It's too slow and ridden with politics for anything to matter.. corporate suits low-risk, low reward people. Also I made a video on this https://youtu.be/O08LIVxT6K8?feature=shared

AutumnGadani

American Express

a year ago

My perception is also similar. What will you say about the pay? Where can someone earn more?

fruityxo

Google

a year ago

I was in your situation 3 months back. I was in a European Bank. Typical corporate with shit middle management, bad pay. I quit for a lesser known startup. I am still not convinced whether it was the right choice as my colleagues are getting promotion. Two major thoughts still support this decision: 1. I would have hated it there now as well, even if I have got the promotion. I hated being there and working for bank. 2. I can always go back but as I move towards late 20s risk appetite will reduce. I don't think you should stay if you don't like it. You can always go back to Amex. Give yourself a chance.

fruityxo

Google

a year ago

Also I got a 50% hike in startup, something corporate never offers

Kafkaa

Uber

a year ago

I personally feel startups especially unicorns are better than MNCs in every aspect (pay, work, learning, growth). Only downside could be wlb.

Bruhwhatisthis

American Express

a year ago

Same here. Plus it’s harder when you don’t like the work

Kotakachori11

Freelancer

a year ago

Chupchaap baithe raho bade corporate mein aur side projects karo

AutumnGadani

American Express

a year ago

Truly want to understand why you think so

Kotakachori11

Freelancer

a year ago

Name of big corporate sticks...bade corporate se bade corporate mein switch Maro....network banao...aajkal startups ka bharosa Kam hai in funding winter...you can earn big bucks and start up later also in life..