My friend asked me to post for him. -------------------------------------------------------- Hello, Im a new grad (bachelors) looking for a backend software engineering position. I have been lucky this season to get offers from both of these companies and I am having a hard time deciding. The Silicon valley startup has a half a billion valuation and is already generating great revenue. I feel like it’s a very promising startup and I had a great experience at the onsite interview. Everyone I met was friendly, intelligent and passionate. I do not know which team I will end up in Amazon, but for the startup I was told I will be working on a Computer vision + backend team. Probably will be working many hours in both companies so wlb is not a differentiating factor. Amazon - Pros - Ability to explore different products in Amazon and change teams that fit your interest. - Learning about how large corporations work. - having FAANG on your resume - Parents prefer a larger company. (I think “My son goes to Amazon” in family dinners are helpful) - Cons - Don’t know the team yet - May work on less relevant products or features. Startup - Pros - Know the manager and the engineers on the team. (And like them) - CV + backend is interesting, although I do not have extensive background in it. - Company has a lot of momentum to grow. - Get to learn how the company scales and is built. - Cons: - Most people don’t know them. - Loosing opportunity to join FAANG at a lower hiring bar. Also heard they have relatively higher bar for experienced engineers in FAANG (if I want to join them later.) While I think I would grow better as an engineer in the startup, getting exposure to Amazon early on is a great opportunity. Any advice or opinions on what I should choose would be helpful. Thanks in advance! TC (first year): Amazon (Seattle): 112 base + 26 sign + 80 * 5% = 142k Startup (Somewhere in South Bay): 130 base + 20 sign + 10k(over 4 yrs) = 150 + shares Minor things: best friend is going to Amazon so even cheaper rent.
Get some branding and experience before jumping to a startup. It’ll help when the startup goes under.
Startups are overrated - source: myself working for a startup up.
Risky for new grad to jump into a startup. Get some exp on that resume then go to start up after a year or two if he wishes
New grad and if on visa, shoot for brand
Join the startup , it’s the best decision you will ever make in your life . Specially if it’s a good startup and you like your team and your role . Don’t get bogged down by fang etc . I have worked at a successful startup and got job at amazon due to the work I did there . I was foolish to leave as it’s not even comparable !! As a new grad you want to learn and grow more and have more impact . Forget blind and depending on who you are and if you have high career aspiration in long run go to that startup. Your salary is good enough for rent in beginning , it’s not life long salary . You are just starting :)
Amazon - with that TC in the South Bay, you’ll need to apply for food stamps / housing assistance etc. not worth it.