After 7 yoe at larger tech companies, I'm looking for something else and signed with a startup. I'm not expecting to make much money, and am mostly doing it for the learning experience. I'll be in the senior most band (but not CTO) and I'll be responsible for hiring and overseeing the other engineers etc, though I will still be doing IC work as well. My goal is to be there a couple of years and then take my learnings elsewhere. For some other context I had an offer from Netflix as well (Sr SDE — I know they only hire senior though), but I turned it down because I felt too emotional drained by Amazon and didn't feel like I would be setting myself up for success at a company like Netflix by coming in on an emotional low. They have said the door is open in the future, though. I've started telling my friends about my pending move and the reactions have made me second guess my decision, and I feel so sad and scared. It's not overtly negative, but it's like "good for you! You're chasing what makes you happy and not career success, that's so brave", the underlying message being that they're all aiming for VP/CVP positions and there's no way I can ever achieve that now that I'm taken myself out of the FAANG circuit. They're also pretty weirded out by my decision to turn down Netflix, and a couple of them acted like I might have been dishonest about my offer (cuz who doesn't take that sweet TC, right???). Of course, not all my friends have reacted this way, but it still hurts. But the reason I'm here is not because it hurts — I'm just worried that they may be right? I do want to be successful and aim for positions like that in the long term, but I also don't want to be at Microsoft or Amazon for like a decade in order to get there... but now that I've been observing many of the existing VPs at both companies, seems like that's been the trend? What do you guys think?
If this bothers you so much, you may not be a good fit for startups
Sure sounds reasonable but if you’re feeling drained would taking some time off be better? Doubt that start up would be allow you to relax more than Netflix.
That's fair. I think the difference is that I'll be starting from a place of trust because I know the founders, and they more about thoughtful development than moving at the stereotypical fast pace of a startup. At Netflix I'd be starting from a place of no trust.
But yeah it's something to consider.
I'm an unusual case but I built my tech career at a startup and now I'm on my second big company job. Startups can help you climb the title ladder then go back to the big orgs in a better position. Also sometimes the size and relative nimbleness can be great.
TC on Netflix offer, startup and Amazon and I'll give u my opinion
Yup, OP reveal the bets on table and than I can say which one is good, including startup domain and product scale
TC or GTFO
Makes sense if the startup is performing very well, and you are passionate about what it’s doing. People will always talk you know. Even if you take Netflix they will say this guy is fried , he/she will always be at risk of lay-off etc
Fuck those guys, prove them wrong op
In the larger scheme of things , you are very young OP, and some experimentation does not harm as long as your skills grow
How are you gonna succeed at a startup if you're worried about what other people think of you?
You're right.
Weird flex but ok.
Me or them?
I don't wanna come across that way if it's me, I'll take out details if it helps people receive my question better