Tech IndustryNov 25, 2018
Newijhg

Not working in SFO/SEA/NYC: Is this career suicide?

So obviously I did not get a FAANG level job offer which is why I'm not moving into SFO/SEA/NYC. My job offer is in a suburban city (population 100k-1mil) in the Midwest/Southwest. TC $190k for Senior ML Scientist position for Fortune 500 company, but not a tech company. Cannot reveal more details than that. I do have other offers in SFO/SEA/NYC, but TC is not even close to $190k. I want to get into FAANG level companies eventually, and will go out on market in 6-12mths. Is this move career suicide?

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Microsoft Yoauow Nov 25, 2018

Do the needful

New
ijhg OP Nov 25, 2018

Needful???

Target .¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Nov 25, 2018

If your career aspirations are to join FAANG level companies then you’ll need to continue to push to get into sector. It depends on motivations, really. 190k in Midwest is a hell of a lot of money. Why would you move on from that? That’s probably equivalent to 300k+ in SFO/Seattle/NYC.

Salesforce pmyz88 Nov 25, 2018

More like $500K+ given housing prices ..

Target .¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Nov 25, 2018

That’s a fair point.

GE TAUK74 Nov 25, 2018

I’m not sure where you are in your career, but since advice on this app is free, you can take mine or leave it! ‘Senior ML Scientist position for Fortune 500’ is a good position that should let you do good work and allow you to write your own story. It’s a hot skill, people will come knocking on your door in time. Just focus on knocking it out of the park. Location is not a career killer, in fact, willingness to relocate is seen positively, in general.

GE TAUK74 Nov 25, 2018

I’d also say, the concern you should have is actually liking the Midwest area you move to! You might settle down and miss the hassles a city brings. You might like your job, company, co-workers, and the allure of FAANG might fade. I know, first world problems, right?

New
ijhg OP Nov 25, 2018

I doubt so. I will never get 500k TC by being technical manager. I don't get refreshers. I don't plan to stay for long.

Amazon AIV Nov 25, 2018

Most people never get 500k. There are people on here that were lucky one year and then keep saying they have 500k TC and there are others who are liars. Don’t get hung up there. As another said, you should knock your current job out of the park and write your own story. Then, if you wanna go FAANG you’ll easily be able to. But seriously if you like where you live, then you are in a great position.

Google amzng123 Nov 25, 2018

It's not suicide, but it will certainly make your move to faang much more difficult. You are working for a non tech company and you are working in a non tech location. Take the lower TC and move to a nimble VC backed startup in a tech hotbed. Makes your next move much easier.

New
ijhg OP Nov 25, 2018

You think it would be easier to transition into FAANG by settling for a mid tier startup (not unicorn) in SFO/SEA/NYC? Because that's prob the best alternative I can get. FYI my background was working in R&D but also not in tech and I am aware of the bias that tech has against people like me, and it's really frustrating and difficult to break through.

Google amzng123 Nov 25, 2018

Yes, I think mid tier startup is better in one of those three cities is better than a non tech F500 in midwest if your next step is FAANG. The chance of you using a solid tech stack is higher.

Airbnb Pomax Nov 25, 2018

You are too fixated on FAANG. Due to CoL differences you are way better off with this job than the vast majority of people in FAANG. Your quality of life will be dramatically higher too. Take it and don’t look back.

New
ijhg OP Nov 25, 2018

Not true. State taxes make the location same as Seattle in COL. My rent is $900/mth there and I pay about $800/mth in taxes. I can get an apt for $1800-2000/mth in Redmond, WA. Compared to NYC, the rent is also $1800-2000/mth in NJ, with higher NY/NJ tax, and only double the rent, so about $30-40k before tax in TC will compensate for COL difference.

Amazon KYuG83 Nov 25, 2018

Seattle has state sales tax of 9.5%. It’s not like there is no tax here. People usually don’t factor in estimated state sales tax or property tax into income because it is harder to estimate than income tax, but it sounds like your state income tax is about 5%, and the other taxes and costs associated with living in Seattle will add up the same. Plus, all of that incremental income over $190K will be taxed at 35%+, you get diminishing returns on the income in the higher brackets. The federal tax system favors those who make less and live in lower COLA area, unless you are mega-wealthy. Good luck finding an $1800 apartment in Redmond that you actually want to live like an adult in! Ps - it sounds like your heart is deadset on FAANG, and you are looking for people to agree with you. I cannot be that person but I recognize the importance of idiosyncratic preferences, so I say maximize the potential of getting into Amazon, because it is easier to get into and then lateral into a great position than other tech firms, and then go for it. If you will feel inadequate and this bizarre unexplainable complex where you feel you are committing career suicide and are inventing your own form of financial planning math to support why you need to be FAANG... you clearly need to be at FAANG. Your psychological identity is tied up in it, that’s why. I live in Seattle, originally from Ohio — I can assure you you will live better in the midwest with $190K. Also, I’m a former CPA before tech, I also assure you your math on the taxes is incomplete but you are the scientist so you can figure that out eventually. Just make sure your personal financial analysis is accurate enough that you would stake your professional reputation off of it, since you are making life decisions on it.

IBM tricia Nov 25, 2018

Take the midwest job, don't be fixated on FAANG.

New
ijhg OP Nov 25, 2018

Says the IBMer....

IBM tricia Nov 25, 2018

Yes, "Says the IBMer". Let me give few more information - Says the IBMer who worked at Apple in the past (a FAANG) - I left Apple for another company then IBM and now I earn twice as much as I did at Apple. Work remote 100% of the time from my home. Left SFO area for my home town in Midwest, settled here. Bought and fully paid a 7000 sq ft house beside a lake in a good neighborhood with best schools and hospitals in US. Save more money in a year than most of the TC here at Blind and what I used to earn at Apple.

Spotify KXAo87 Nov 25, 2018

Take the money and enjoy your awesome cushy life. If you feel too disconnected, attend / speak at some conferences

Google Pfjhebs Nov 25, 2018

Stay at 190k in Midwest if everything else there is nice e.g. like the area, partner/kids are there, etc

Google Pfjhebs Nov 25, 2018

Also ask yourself why you want to join FAANG. TC? Prestige? Ego? Location? Job content?

New
ijhg OP Nov 25, 2018

All of the above. TC is still better even after COL adjustment. I want prestige and name recognition. I am currently big fish is small pond I hate it. Also ego factors and job security, I want to be headhunted and poached all the time.

Nvidia (👍🏼😱🤑) Nov 25, 2018

Remember, big market/small fish big Vs. Big fish/small(or less attractive) market. Imagine if you’re THE data guy at a company that doesn’t have tech focus and you’re able to solve real problems, versus you’re simply one of 1000 others in a company trying to label Hot Dog or Not Hot Dog

New
ijhg OP Nov 25, 2018

I am already big fish in small pond in my current company and I don't like it. I rather be small fish in big ocean.