New grad: quit startup to join FAANG?
New grad working at a startup here. Interned and converted to full time. Startup is founded my some reputable names and is well funded. Learned a lot during my internship but having regrets after joining fulltime. 1) Company always talks about how great and transparent the culture is but its not - CTO plays favorites, people get undue credit, slackers in leadership roles, leadership never tells us the bad things like when a customer drops. 2) I can tell the CTO isnt very fond of me. No reason for it, Im just not his favorite guy who actually just quit. I get all my work done but perception is what matters. Even with all the commits and contributions out in the open, there’s this bullshit atmosphere of “wow, that person is so good” (its a 10 person eng team, everyone should be the same) 3) General lack of faith in the company. There are lots of inconsistencies between what the company strives to solve, and the actual personalities and belief systems of the founders. We always pander to customers, the entire business is driven off getting something out in time so a customer will sign. 4) My work goes unappreciated. The team is a majority certain race and background, and it seems as though my work isnt as important bc Im younger and not from the same background. (even though my contributions are equal). Should I quit before my 1 year of options vest to join a FAANG? It would suck if the company makes it big but I just dont see the point of being around sychophants and robots. The cool, talented people have left and continue to leave. Plus, I can go make double the money for literally half the work, and continue to progress in my career with the brand name and extra time. It seems this “go to a startup if you want to learn” is blown a bit over porportion bc you may learn a lot, but the caveat is that you might learn the wrong things. On top of this, people only care if you worked at a startup if it went IPO. So it seems like career progression would be same going to FAANG vs staying here
I think it’s good to go to FB or Google early in the career if you can. I wish I had done it. It’s also good to try startups while you are learning and have nothing to lose. So I think you’re doing well if you try both.
What was your journey? Why do you wish you joined earlier?
From what you wrote, I’d advise to jump ship.
Don’t take this as offense but your thought process is inconsistent. Your imagination is immature. FAANG, career progression, should I join? If company made big? Blah blah blah... First of all, if you are not valued, don’t expect your leadership will change their mindset about you, best choice is to leave. Second, who said you can join FAANG(or can’t) ? before jumping, how about tasting water? Do preparation, give warm up interviews and then gauge yourself and bridge the gap. Third, do not compare, find a right job where there will be a balance between learning, growth and better compensation. Forth, grass is always greener on other side, you could not even formulate your problem, wonder how you land up to conclude FAANG is your solution? There is a pool of lot of companies outside FAANG which can also give you lot of what you looking for...
Thanks for your response, appreciate the honesty! In regards to not being valued, you know that feeling when you are or when you aren’t? I definitely feel like I’m not, especially as much as the liked guy who just quit. To your points about FAANG, they were used as an example for big companies with high pay, brand names, and talented engineers (subjective but better than the median). I also previously interned at FAANG level company, but you’re right, there are other top companies which can offer the same. My main problem is that I am trying to optimize for my career. When I agreed to join this startup full time, I thought I had good relations with the CTO and felt the company was doing amazing. Being full time for a few months has brought some newfound information. There’s only so much you can put yourself out there before you look like a try hard or “that guy” who cares too much about his work. At the end of the day, you need to be perceived well too. So, my thoughts were joining a big firm at this point is the best solution until (and if) I can find the next right startup
I feel you, been there done that, I have seen more worst of it. Startup and culture is a oxymoron. You are thinking in right direction if you intend to move out. Just don’t be particular about what company you should be targeting, just pick mid-size to large size company and make sure it is publicly traded. Rest of your focus can be on learning. It is hard to get promotion in big size companies, you can learn but it may be slow and laid back. Better is to learn, building equity of knowledge and then aim at senior title in big companies. Disclaimer: these points are generic, you can always see exceptions 🙂...
Just three short things. 1. Much of what you list, you may encounter elsewhere, FAANG isn't special 2. The #1 thing a startup needs to be successful is a good culture, and if you don't gel well with the culture LEAVE NOW! 3. You're too young for regrets
What area or field is the startup in?
I feel like we work for the same employer. DM me?
Yes.
Mind telling why?
Just toxic like you said