How stupid am I for quitting?

Peraton Labs
xHvD27

Peraton Labs

xHvD27
Oct 11, 2021 112 Comments

Hey Blind,

I’m a research scientist, 26 y/o and I recently left an industry job to work on my own startup. I still have an academic appointment making just under 100k.

I think we have a shot at building something big (https://angel.co/galactictechnologies/syndicate), but I have this nagging feeling that I’m an idiot for leaving a 300k TC job to go work on this, while everyone around me is probably going to keep making decent income and progressing in life.

Working both jobs and starting the startup on the side was having an adverse impact on my health, I basically wasn’t sleeping and was getting numerous health issues, which contributed to my leaving, but now I can’t help but wonder if I was wrong.

I’ve also only been out of school since COVID so I have just about a year and a half of work experience, all in ML research.

I have about 200k in savings, with some more in investments. I plan to operationalize about 100k or so to build the startup I mentioned.

Am I an idiot for trying something like this?

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TOP 112 Comments
  • Apple
    mnKe75

    Go to company page Apple

    mnKe75
    I know Many people leave their 1M+ TC job for their own startup. Just go for it.
    Oct 11, 2021 4
  • New / Data
    bobbody

    New Data

    bobbody
    You're only 26, assuming no family responsibility and have decent personal savings. You couldn't be in a better place to start your own thing.
    One thing- Keep around 6 months of your expenses stashed somewhere and don't touch em unless absolutely necessary. Good luck.
    Oct 11, 2021 1
    • Unity
      noobiest

      Go to company page Unity

      noobiest
      Nailed it! This is the best time for you to do something like this. In the big picture, if things don't come together with your startup, at worst you retire two years later than you otherwise would have - totally worth it for the experience alone
      Oct 11, 2021
  • SpaceX
    jJJm62

    Go to company page SpaceX

    jJJm62
    Nope it's a good move. Take some risks while you can.
    Oct 11, 2021 0
  • Geico / Eng
    LosSouls

    Go to company page Geico Eng

    LosSouls
    Absolutely go for it!
    Oct 11, 2021 0
  • Yes, I do think you are an idiot.

    But then I would have said the same of Jeff Bezos in 1997 for leaving his cushy job at DE Shaw for some internet startup.
    Oct 12, 2021 0