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Hi Blind Community, I’m writing this post to hopefully get some perspective from people that are further along in the careers. TLDR: Graduating college in a few months with an offer from Google (technical role in Cloud, but not SWE) for ~115k/yr while working for myself making on average $200k/yr (currently $110k net so far in 2022), NW ~520k. What would you do? I’ve been fortunate to be working for myself since my senior year of high school and am about to graduate college in a few months. I’ve been doing a mix of application development (mostly front-end w/ a mix of backend) as well as digital marketing (outsources content creation, SEO, etc). As of late it’s been primarily project management (overseeing a team that does most of the development, but I still jump in for emergency stuff and when I really like a project). The past 4 years I’ve been consistently making 100k+ net each year with the last 2 being closer to $200-220k and $110k net so far in 2022. Additionally, as it stands, I have MRR of $9.5k stemming from packaged service products with very minimal OPEX. I have been doing all of this while being a student, so I believe if I had nothing else to focus on it would be higher. For reference on my financial situation since the decision is somewhat based on salary, I have a NW of ~$520k, all in stocks/crypto except for ~$80k in cash. My question for the community is, what would you do in my situation? Since I’m not going in as a SWE (and don’t think I am necessarily qualified to be) the comp is much lower than what I’m making now. Based on perceived WLB I think I can continue doing ~100k in addition to Google, but definitely not matching or surpassing what I’m currently doing. The dilemma I face is that I really like what I do. I really like how every day is different and that I can truly impact someone's business through my work. I can also see myself liking working with Google based on conversations I’ve had with interviewers and mutual connections that work in the same operating group I would be in. After really thinking, I see Google as an amazing resume item, but I’m not sure if that is worth the financial setback if I don’t really plan on working for a company long-term if I’m able to operate at the current level I am (and hopefully evolve). I see it as more so diversifying my career should I need to work for a company down the line. I have 2 intern experiences with very large companies, but don’t see that coming anywhere close to Google should I need to work for a company down the line (especially since they were just internships). I feel as though I can show some level of validity since a few of the sites I have worked on contributed (based on client’s comments) to successful funding rounds ranging from $10M - $75M. I would greatly appreciate any advice or insight you could provide or aspects I might not be factoring into my decision criteria. Thank you for all your posts, it has been very inspirational reading many of your stories! #tech #google #career
If you're already making that much on your own in college you don't need Google. You will take a pay cut and will probably be bored to death working in a technical role in Google cloud. Keep doing what you're doing.
Thanks for the reply. The boredom part and not learning anything of use is definitely one of the larger fears. The specific role is comprised of several rotations over a year then you're placed in a permanent role (you're still a full-time employee during the training/rotational phase).
Keep doing your thing and pushing yourself! 10x more impressive than being a cog at Google
Thanks for the words of encouragement. Do you see it ever being an issue if you're self-employed rather than having "corporate experience" down the line? Definitely not planning on failing, but I like to think of all possible options. From what I've seen it seems like the world is more open to self-employment and the experience that brings than in previous times.
Do you see yourself doing this in the long run? Google will open doors if you are looking to move up the corporate ladder. If you do your own thing and it doesn’t take off you’ll have a tougher time getting into top companies but I’m sure you can still make it happen, you’re obviously talented. If you see potential for your business to take off it’s worth pursuing. Even if it doesn’t take off your NW is still way ahead of many people in their late 20s.
I have a clear vision of where I can take things, which would result in larger clients/projects, more low OPEX recurring revenue, etc. As far as long-term I can see myself doing this and really enjoying it for a long time. If I were to ever get board I imagine I could sell the recurring revenue side of things and move on to something else. In my two corporate experiences (both virtual internships) I really enjoyed the experience, but I would say I enjoy what I do slightly more. It's not even from an ego standpoint of it has to be my way or the highway, but more so the satisfaction that comes from seeing the positive outcome my work can have. I just don't see myself having the same impact until several years in a corporate environment because obviously I’d just be another new hire. I definitely agree with your statement about it being harder to get in, I feel I have a lot going for me atm because of previous internships and grades which wouldn't be the case x years removed from college.
Do not go to Google! Embrace your business and keep working hard on it. I see people telling you to go to google if you want to go up the corporate ladder but if your business keeps growing it can become a corporation on itself. Lots of people in faang work on FIRE to get something like you already have.
gawd dahm this is the way
Google just to have it in your resume. Then do we tf you want. 🏄♂️
Google Didn’t read the whole post but unless you’ve created a rocketship, get something on your resume and do the other thing on the side for a year or so.
Thank you for the insight! I'm anticipating around ~$300-320k net this year based on MRR and outstanding contracts, but not sure if that classifies as a rocketship. If I did Google I definitely see myself hanging on to the 9.5k/mo recurring and still probably do a project here or there so it wouldn't be as huge of a monetary cut.