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Or maybe it just means try harder to follow the momentum and go for those upstarts? Years ago, I thought, "Why would I want to bust my butt to join Goog or sim
by optimusclimb 11y ago
Or maybe it just means try harder to follow the momentum and go for those upstarts?
Years ago, I thought, "Why would I want to bust my butt to join Goog or similar and be a cog in a giant machine?" It seemed to me like you try hard to prove yourself to get in just to be on the bottom of the totem pole where being recognized would be very hard. So I didn't bother and worked at other smaller companies.
In retrospect, it seems like your best move in the Valley IS to just try to get in to the biggest, best name, with the most talent flowing into it. IF and when you want to leave for somewhere smaller (or start your own), you'll be well served for having done it, networked, gotten the resume boost, etc.
So while yes, it may be true that the updraft opens up spots, maybe if you get one, you'll be looking back and seeing that during those years, having Goog or similar on the resume will not be as boosting to your career as Uber or AirBNB et al.
- trhway 11y ago>your best move in the Valley IS to just try to get in to the biggest, best name, with the most talent flowing into it. even better to get into such a company before it becomes that "best name". Unfortunately, on couple occasions i wasn't able to recognize it - they were such ugly ducklings back at the time :)
- keithwhor 11y agoIsn't every successful startup an ugly duckling at some point?
- venomsnake 11y agoExcept Uber - they were (self) described as revolutionary since day 1.
- dylanjermiah 11y agoThat is false. Travis and Garret just wanted to get a ride quickly (in '08). When they started in '10 neither wanted to run a 'limo company' as they described it, bringing in Ryan Graves. After Travis saw what it could be, he stepped in.
- humanrebar 11y agoZynga was an ugly duckling for sure.
- StavrosK 11y agoWhen did Zynga blossom into a beautiful swan? It just grew up to be an ugly duck.
- humanrebar 11y agoExactly. Well put. Sometimes ugly ducklings grow up to be ugly ducks.
- pixelp3 11y ago"It seemed to me like you try hard to prove yourself to get in just to be on the bottom of the totem pole where being recognized would be very hard. So I didn't bother and worked at other smaller companies." Is recognition one's main objective when working at such companies? Some people do it for the pride. But for many the chance to work on some great projects and learn from arguably the best in the industry is an opportunity which is too hard to pass up.