It's time to be thinking about the real world and the different kinds of jobs that you could be applying for. One big dilemma you might face - the choice between a startup and a corporate job. While some people will tell you there is nothing more cool than working for a startup, there will be others who talk praises about the stability of a corporate job. Both have their own perks, and their own flaws. But here's why I'm happy with my decision to work at a startup instead of a corporate office after college.
1. You get real responsibilities
Instead of starting out with just research or making calls, you get to do real stuff. You're given real responsibilities from Day 1, there is no adjusting or training period. You're on the big girl bike from the very beginning and it's on you to learn how to ride. You're held responsible if you can't deliver - but startups are also a forgiving bunch. They know it's okay to fail, till the time you're up for giving it another try. And another. Until you get it right.
2. There are multiple opportunities to prove yourself
Sometimes, in some situations, there is no Plan B. In those situations, if you think you're up for the challenge, it's on you to go, 'I can do it!' and you've got your chance. You're given ample opportunities like these and no one looks at you with suspicious eyes or feels you're stepping on any toes. If you volunteer for it, you get a shot at it. And that's more than you can say for most other jobs.
3. You get to discover yourself
Many people jump jobs until they find the thing they feel really passionate about. Well, a startup actually lets you do that in the same company. Say after 6 months, if you've reached your saturation point and would like to explore a different department, you can actually have a easy and quick transition. You get to explore different aspects of a company and discover what you're actually good at - instead of just working towards being better at what you think you want to do.
4. There is never a dull day at work
It's crisis management, all around the clock. You'll get to work at odd hours, leave at even odder ones, end up doing something all day long that you had no clue how to do the previous day. There will be impromptu parties for the smallest of achievements and long strategy meetings when you hit the big targets. One person's crisis is every other person's crisis - you learn so much more about working in a team this way than you ever could elsewhere.
5. Inspiration is all around you
The people who work for a startup is what makes the company so amazing to work for. You could be a week old intern, but be sitting in on meetings with the CEO. You get to learn from each and every individual present in the team because that's how close knit it actually is. If you're willing to learn and push yourself, you will find plenty of inspiring people willing to teach and guide you. They have brilliant ideas and out-of-the-box ways of executing them. There's no better place to learn.
6. The growth rate is incomparable
What you'll achieve in a year of working for a startup, you won't in even 5 at a corporate office. Your professional journey will even surprise you. You'll get rewarded for your actual work instead of getting a yearly appraisal just because that's company policy. And there is absolutely no greater joy than that!
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