I'm still a student graduating this semester and can't stop thinking about the full-time job decision I made last semester. After receiving a few offers, I filtered them down to 2 I was really interested in: Facebook, NYC: $110k base/ 10%+ bonus/ $160k/4 years stock/ $85k sign on/ ~$160k TC Two Sigma, NYC: $145k base/ $40k bonus/ $55k Sign On/ ~$185k TC TS had some really compelling advantages in my mind: 1. Higher TC (and higher TC growth?) 2. I have no interest in living in the Bay/Seattle so with TS being headquartered in NYC, perhaps the advancement opportunities would be better 3. I have a huge interest in the financial markets and would love to work on and learn about trading algorithms 4. I was offered to work on some really interesting ML/ quantitative engineering work that is right up my ally in terms of interest 5. I like how much smaller the firm is than FB and the environment that that creates I ended up choosing Facebook for the following reasons: 1. I was really pleased to be put in the NYC office 2. I believe that the open culture with regards to knowledge sharing provides a good environment for me to grow as an engineer 3. There are some ML teams in the NYC office that I'd be really interested in (FAIR, Instagram ML, etc) that if I could land on one of those teams- I could satisfy my interests in ML although this isn't guaranteed because I need to go through bootcamp (so this is a negative compared to TS where it would've been guaranteed) 4. I didn't have much time to interview after my internship, so I wanted to give myself time to do my research on the various financial firms and if found another opportunity I was interested in after my first job, TS's non-compete could block me from pursuing that 5. I aspire to one day reach the director ranks and I've heard online that TS prioritizes external hires for high level positions over internal promotion- while I don't get the impression that this is the case at FB It was the hardest decision I've ever made and it still burns in my mind so I'm looking to hear from someone older and wiser than me on how to frame it and think about it. I've even considered asking TS if they could put this offer back on the table and reneging on FB if they could, even though I know this likely is the wrong path. Just want to gain some outside perspective on the situation.
You can always go back to TS after 1-2 years if they make a compelling offer. You might get a higher level offer if you interview again with FB experience. No choice is end of the world. Very few SWE work for long time in the same company. Was your FB position for SWE?
Yes
Actually having Facebook on your resume, especially for the first couple of years would turn out to be good for you. There will likely be more companies happy to interview you in the future
While obviously FB is a good name, TS has just as strong (if not stronger) reputation I would think?
Well.. not in my experience at least.
You made the right call. Everyone knows Facebook and it will look amazing on your resume. I haven’t heard of two sigma and I’m an industry veteran.
Yes you made the right call. We have awesome free food while TS doesn't have any. 😁
In 4 years from now, you will realize it was just a decision where there is no right or wrong and you can go anywhere if you want to
You're thinking too far ahead. Hakuna mattata
You fucked up big time. Two sigma will pay way higher than fb at equivalent levels at all stages of your career.
Good luck!
Thanks! Best to you as well 👍
Two Sigma is marginally better pay at lower levels and then tables turn at E6 onwards. TS will push you into management role to keep growing your comp and does not have enough room for pure senior ICs. So depends on your goals.
What makes you say that: 1. Have you heard Facebook pays better at the staff+ levels? 2. I would’ve thought that at FB you’d get pushed into management more than at TS because of its much larger size and more opportunities to manage people? Thanks for the input btw
1) have coworkers who came from there 2) interviewed with them in the past and spoke with various groups and leadership FB does not push into management. Comp bands are same for IC and management and generally one can switch back and forth
I recently turned down a low TC offer from Google to pick Uber for it's TC + type of work. I wonder sometimes if I made the right call. Tbh, I don't think anyone has the answer. Opportunities will come and go. Next time you're looking for a job, FB and TS may not be even on your shortlist. Things change, preferences change, companies change. Take FB, enjoy every moment. You'll most likely love it, most people who i know work there do! What's the absolute worst that could happen in the grand scheme of things?
Thanks for note, you’re right that in the grander scheme of things the absolute worst isn’t so bad
Btw, it's worth noting that probably the only reason your mind is running wild is because you haven't started at FB. Once you start, you'll wonder why you were ever worried. So don't expect this paranoia to go away til then 😂