I’ve been learning PM at Autodesk for a few years now but not on a flagship product. essentially I work with vendors to build internal tools etc. when needed - no internal engineers or designers working on my “product”. I got an offer to be PM #1 at a 20 person startup where i’ll be working with devs, designers, etc. on real product. The pay is 50k better too. My alternative would have been 2-3 years of MBA so i’m treating this like a paid learning opportunity for 1-2 years. But I keep getting this feeling that it’s all a trap and that I should stay at a big company with the fancy office and fringe benefits. Is this normal for first time startup employees?Any advice for me? current tc: 110k new tc: 153k + equity (not counting it atm)
Left a brokerage to work at a startup, great experience. It’s pretty crazy and a lot of priorities shift, but it’s a good fast pace learning experience. I’d say making 40k+ base really helps w the risk and should help put your mind at ease. If you like the product and people then go for it!
Thanks! Yeah people seemed nice but every startup I’ve interviewed for the people drank the kool aid. Product is decent but not “sexy”. The learning opportunity and pay is what I jumped for mainly 👍
We’re you in PM? And did you find it easier to move to another job after gaining all of this experience?
You already have a recognizable name on your resume, which will enable you to get jobs at big companies down the road. If you’re relatively young and without a family there’s really not a ton of risk in joining a startup. Just be ready for a completely different working experience- both good and bad.
Married but no kids yet haha! Thanks for the advice
I was first marketing hire at a startup through our acquisition by Oracle. Was a big career accelerator for me which I definitely wouldn’t have had if I started/stuck at a big co from the beginning. Good luck!
Bad move. You should have had the experience previously. Don't be surprised if you are forced out in less than 3 to 6 months at most.
Lol
Don't laugh. Startups are hard and aren't for those who think they are there to learn. Being the first PM means you are under even more pressure - and if you don't have it, you are going to be hating life Get your MBA and then maybe do the startiup.
Go for it. You don't feel happy now, it's time to make a change. That should be a good move because you will learn a lot from the new environment, contribute more. Start up will be interesting but expect long hours sometimes. Good luck.
Thanks! Yeah I suspect it won’t be easy but it gives me more exposure and impact to fail and learn.
World Conflicts
6h
268
Israeli precision-guided munition likely killed group of children playing foosball in Gaza, weapons experts say
India
8h
455
'Hindutva': The Radical Hindu Ideology That Seeks to 'Push Christianity Out of India’
AMA
Yesterday
1059
PM Manager, early 40s, married and ENM (Ethical Non Monogamous) AMA
Tech Industry
3d
69229
Crossed a line with my boss
Health & Wellness
Yesterday
867
Lasik cost
And we thought you had experience building products when we offered you that job 🤦♂️
😂 fake it til you make it right?