I'd add one more perspective - starting in a small comapny. This is a great opportunity if you don't know where you want to grow.
Small companies force you to do everything - from server management to talking to customers. They allow you to tackle all sorts of problems and acquire broader (not deeper) knowledge.
Absolutely, Yordan. This is the beauty of different perspectives and experiences. While I'd prefer starting off on a Big Tech to understand and appreciate the process, your perspective also makes sense to me.
As a corollary to @yordan’s small business approach, joining a regional/medium sized consulting firm can expose one to a massive amount of situations and opportunities to learn and grow in a short period of time when first starting out.
Yes, I've seen that benefiting many. Thanks for adding.
I've never worked at a consultancy, but, can understand how much growth it offers. As you work through different clients, you basically have a completely new problem to solve each time.
That’s a good addition, Chintan. Generally we hear that when you work on a customer facing team, all you do is scramble but knowing your customers closely and being able to translate them to future technology is an essential skill.
Being able to work in Customer facing team is definitely challenging with lots of hurdles and keeps you on the toe. But it gave me an opportunity to work on a scale with different interesting design problems, investigate different customer usability issues which I never thought while making that product, also directly talking with customers as an engineer is unparalleled experience with trimming technical aspects etc. Above all your team is in revenue generating org, so job security is +1.
Great article, Akash. This will always be an interesting topic. Having worked at both, I don't regret my startup experience as it helped me become a better developer not relying on "big tech tooling" early in my career. However, once I gained those skills, I'm happy where I landed now at big tech.
The caliber of talent you work with is phenomenal and in general I think it's less stressful
My experience has been quite similar, starting of with startups, moving into Big Tech, and who knows what's ahead. But, I'd not trade anything either. Thanks for sharing, Jordan.
It's ok to self love Akash. Here is my perspective how you sit with juniors and solve their problems and make them learn and being team contributor how you avoid your selfishness and being selfless grew in a career. I just kicked in an idea .
Akash I always think about my true relations but the thing is that I am just odd . No one hates big tech because it's the engineers who created big tech not the vcs
Loved the article. It’s a very less spoken subject, thanks for sharing your views.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the read, I wanted to bring some balance and challenge the overwhelming narrative of big tech sucks.
This is an outstanding article, Akash!
I'd add one more perspective - starting in a small comapny. This is a great opportunity if you don't know where you want to grow.
Small companies force you to do everything - from server management to talking to customers. They allow you to tackle all sorts of problems and acquire broader (not deeper) knowledge.
I hope that makes sense.
Absolutely, Yordan. This is the beauty of different perspectives and experiences. While I'd prefer starting off on a Big Tech to understand and appreciate the process, your perspective also makes sense to me.
Thank you for sharing.
As a corollary to @yordan’s small business approach, joining a regional/medium sized consulting firm can expose one to a massive amount of situations and opportunities to learn and grow in a short period of time when first starting out.
Yes, I've seen that benefiting many. Thanks for adding.
I've never worked at a consultancy, but, can understand how much growth it offers. As you work through different clients, you basically have a completely new problem to solve each time.
Very interesting Akash!
I've worked mostly in startups and mid-sized companies, a doubt I've always had about big tech is just the impact, which you addressed in the episode.
Thanks also for the mention of my episode about BCrypt algorithm!
Absolutely, impact is everywhere, people just need to look with the right mindset.
This experience will also further fork at whether you have worked in customer facing product team or internal team.
I suggest every developer should work in customer facing product team to get a taste of your importance.
Good article!
That’s a good addition, Chintan. Generally we hear that when you work on a customer facing team, all you do is scramble but knowing your customers closely and being able to translate them to future technology is an essential skill.
What has been your customer experience be like?
Being able to work in Customer facing team is definitely challenging with lots of hurdles and keeps you on the toe. But it gave me an opportunity to work on a scale with different interesting design problems, investigate different customer usability issues which I never thought while making that product, also directly talking with customers as an engineer is unparalleled experience with trimming technical aspects etc. Above all your team is in revenue generating org, so job security is +1.
Thanks for sharing, all great points. Trimming down technical aspects is definitely standing out for me.
Great article, Akash. This will always be an interesting topic. Having worked at both, I don't regret my startup experience as it helped me become a better developer not relying on "big tech tooling" early in my career. However, once I gained those skills, I'm happy where I landed now at big tech.
The caliber of talent you work with is phenomenal and in general I think it's less stressful
My experience has been quite similar, starting of with startups, moving into Big Tech, and who knows what's ahead. But, I'd not trade anything either. Thanks for sharing, Jordan.
Thank you so much for writing this and for the mention 🔥
Thanks, Alexandre. Glad you enjoyed it.
It was my attempt to remove the unnecessary dirt from Big Tech, at the same time not sound obnoxious, haha.
It's ok to self love Akash. Here is my perspective how you sit with juniors and solve their problems and make them learn and being team contributor how you avoid your selfishness and being selfless grew in a career. I just kicked in an idea .
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Nitish.
Akash I always think about my true relations but the thing is that I am just odd . No one hates big tech because it's the engineers who created big tech not the vcs
Exactly, the point of this article was to remove the blanket hatred and balance the scale.
Doesn’t matter where one works or wants to go, all environment can provide equal opportunities and it depends on the individuals most of the time.
Have a awesome day. Keep grilling and supporting.
It’s refreshing to see a story from the other side. Both provide unique advantages to grow, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, glad you liked it.