Is FAANG worth pursuing if I want to build my own projects/found a startup?

NetApp
KrishnaTC

Go to company page NetApp

KrishnaTC
May 29, 2020 9 Comments

- ML/SWE with 3YoE.

- I have more drive and interest working on small projects/alone. Leetcoding and doing generic memorizations unrelated to what I'm building slows down my motivation and interest.

- End goal is to build small projects by myself / bootstrap with 1-2 partners and scale slowly. Not a "fast-hyper-growth raise $50M" startup, but a more stable venture.

Question: is FAANG worth pursuing first to gain credentials, learn some best SWE practices and experience with scale? Obviously it would help in future ventures with raising funds and recruiting strong teammates, but at the moment it's a huge personal sacrifice that I have low motivation for. Not chasing quick & safe TC... But long term learning and resourcefulness.

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TOP 9 Comments
  • Apple
    codec

    Go to company page Apple

    codec
    Depends on the order. At Apple you legally cant have any side projects as part of your contract, but if you want to quit and then start the project that’s fine. Also keep in mind that FAANG you typically work long hours and don’t get much in the way of vacation so keep that in mind as well. That being said my friend did meet his cofounder while they were both at Facebook so it is possible
    May 29, 2020 4
    • Amazon
      behaviour

      Go to company page Amazon

      behaviour
      You raise great points and practically speaking I think you’re correct. However, as someone who went from working at startups to a FAANG, I did so in large part to figure out how to get things done at scale, and to have the brand on my resumé. It may not be fair, but VCs and non technical folks still filter a lot on pedigree. For someone like me who doesn’t have an Ivy League education, I think it’s important to have the top N bigco brand on my resumé.
      May 29, 2020
    • Apple
      codec

      Go to company page Apple

      codec
      Yes, Google and Harvard good for resumes. Make the most of wherever you end up but don’t view it as a crutch or end all be all. Lots of work to go even after you get the next gig
      May 29, 2020
  • Cruise
    vkqkwo

    Go to company page Cruise

    vkqkwo
    Disagree. If you want to create a startup your best bet is to go to a startup.
    FAANGs are not that prestigious, especially inside the valley and to VCs.
    May 30, 2020 0
  • Adobe
    shantaaaaa

    Go to company page Adobe

    shantaaaaa
    From my experience FAANG job adds value to your resume especially to attract VC funding and to get people trust in you. If you have a good idea right away, go ahead and implement without going to faang. How ever, if you are clueless try to get experience in one of the big faang for a year just for a name tag, network and different perspectives
    May 30, 2020 0
  • Cruise
    vkqkwo

    Go to company page Cruise

    vkqkwo
    I wouldn't. Most processes are FAANGS are fairly unique. Only applies to big companies.
    Most people are cogs that are happy to be in the rat race and get to the next people. You will meet way more interesting and driven people at startups or smaller companies.
    So only thing left is the prestige and that's all fake and going away anyways. Nobody thinks Google and Facebook mean anything anymore.
    May 30, 2020 0
  • Uber
    hfHH16

    Go to company page Uber

    hfHH16
    Yes. Even when you try to get vc funding, prestige is important. If you don’t have a good school on your history, you should at least have a prestigious company. Unless you can bootstrap your product to runaway success yourself.
    May 29, 2020 0