For the average employee, the main benefits of working for a tech giant are what management theorists call 'hygiene' factors: Pay, benefits, prestige. What make

For the average employee, the main benefits of working for a tech giant are what management theorists call 'hygiene' factors: Pay, benefits, prestige. What makes a job good or bad, though, is intrinsic to the work itself, and the people around you- especially your manager. It sounds like you need to find a job doing work you like, with people you like. You can do that. Getting work you like generally means something that is challenging, but not overwhelming, in a place where it's safe to make mistakes. Make sure you go in knowing what you'll be working on. This is a lot easier in a small co. Consider the utility of the product you're making: Is it a net plus for the world? But be realistic. It's the nature of capitalism that most are in it only for the money. If they claim to be about changing the world, you can ask for examples where they went above and beyond for their employees, community, or customers. On finding a company with good people, do your homework, starting with glassdoor. Avoid any company where more than a few people criticize the CEO or work-life. For the rest of it, the hygiene factor that matters most is probably commute time. Get a gig where you have some balance in your life, or at least aren't wasting three hours a day going back and forth. Finally, ask yourself if your expectations are realistic. 19 is pretty young to be disillusioned. Oh, And see PG's Startup School lecture. And really think about going back to school.