Should You Kickstart Your Career in FAANG or a Startup?
What to expect in terms of Learning Environment & Skill Set Development
Not sure whether to join a startup or a large tech as you start your career? If you're at this crossroads, this article is for you!
I'm currently a Data Scientist at Spotify but 3 years ago, I was only a student and I struggled so much with this question.
Would I be better off at a startup or a mature company?
It was a big decision after all!
But unlike picking between a box of McNuggets or the latest Big Bacon Cheesy Mac (or whatever they call them these days), this one was about setting the trajectory for my entire career.
While I was torturing myself with the question, I realized I wasn't the only one. Many of us in fact face this dilemma.
This article is the first of a series where I discuss this topic from different angles, all of which you need to consider.
I'm drawing on my own experience at Spotify as well as that of other folks I've met along the way.
So if you're making your first stop in your professional life, then make sure to stay tuned by following me.
(This also helps me gain more visibility on Medium so that the people who will find my stories useful can find them more easily)
Why do we even care at this point?
Because the size of a company can be a great indicator of how your career will shape up over time. This is especially true when you're just taking your first steps into the professional world.
So knowing what your goals are becomes essential in figuring out which option will align best with them:
- Do you see yourself diving head-first into a mix of everything, learning on the go, thriving in chaos, and the thrill of wearing multiple hats?
- Or maybe you prefer digging into one specific area, learning from the mentorship of experts, and working on well-defined roadmaps?
Take a moment to reflect on what you want from this journey of yours. Where do you see yourself thriving best?
There is no right or wrong answer.
But first share your experience in the comments, let's discuss!
Tell us about your own experience on the topic in the comment section!
If you're a data science newbie or an old-timer, your story could just be the lightbulb moment for someone else. I'd love to read about your own journey and I'm sure others would too!
- Maybe some anecdotes?
- Unexpected twists?
- "I wish someone told me" moments?
Let's make this not just a monologue, but a community dialogue!
Let me tell you how I made my choice!
When I joined Spotify as an intern, I was stepping foot for the first time in the corporate world of Tech and I didn't know what to expect from it.
I kept asking myself whether I'd thrive best alongside experts at a large Tech ✨, or whether I'd rather be in a startup being a jack of all trades
