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I think it's interesting that the major point is that you will learn a lot, but he also says that you should not expect to be mentored or given any real directi

I think it's interesting that the major point is that you will learn a lot, but he also says that you should not expect to be mentored or given any real direction. This is definitely my experience, but it doesn't mean that startups teach you these things, it means that you have to teach yourself these things and you are in an environment where you are forced to do it. You can also do this and keep your day job if you start your own side project. Obviously it might not be an intense as joining a small startup, but you get to keep your day job pay. Self-motivation is a requirement though.

mkozlows 8y ago
There are a lot of things that you simply can't learn by yourself, though. The practicalities of doing things on a team, at scale, are just out of scope for personal side projects.
- meesles 8y ago
  Agreed. The more I grow, the more I realize it is unrealistic to develop skills in scaling architecture, massive-scale software, etc. with only your own projects. You either need to contribute to large projects, find large projects to hire you, or push for scaling patterns which may be out-of-scope for your current job. This is actually something I've been thinking about lately: how can I train/practice these meaningful skills without the risk of damaging a reputation or losing sensitive data in real systems?
  - strikelaserclaw 8y ago
    This is a real problem in trying to learn how to scale systems. I love learning about scaling but I've never personally worked on high volume applications, there's only so much you can do by reading stuff or watching tutorials or emulating high volume in your side projects. There's so many x-factors that come into play that you can only learn on the job.
    - wolco 8y ago
      Using services like loader.io I could simulate high traffic. That opened up a new world. I was able to test different configurations under stress to find the setup that performed the best for a specific application. Highly recommend stress or load testing.
k__ 8y ago
True, but then you have a job AND have to work on the side project. Working at a startup is a bit like going to university, while working a regular day job is like going to school. You have to find out what needs to be done by yourself, nobody cares if you succeed anymore.
- bigtunacan 8y ago
  Based on my experience that's a good thing. Many startups don't care about work/life balance so you are expected to work so many hours you get burned out. If you work with Big Corp and do a side project then you can take a break from the side project if you are feeling burned out and you have a lot more stability.
jorblumesea 8y ago
I would dispute the idea that you get any better mentorship opportunities at a large company or well established fortune 100 companies. In theory people are less busy and have more time, but the motivation isn't really there to improve or groom team members as the general attitude is "rest and vest". It's something the industry seems to struggle with across the board.

mkozlows 8y ago

There are a lot of things that you simply can't learn by yourself, though. The practicalities of doing things on a team, at scale, are just out of scope for personal side projects.

meesles 8y ago
Agreed. The more I grow, the more I realize it is unrealistic to develop skills in scaling architecture, massive-scale software, etc. with only your own projects. You either need to contribute to large projects, find large projects to hire you, or push for scaling patterns which may be out-of-scope for your current job. This is actually something I've been thinking about lately: how can I train/practice these meaningful skills without the risk of damaging a reputation or losing sensitive data in real systems?
- strikelaserclaw 8y ago
  This is a real problem in trying to learn how to scale systems. I love learning about scaling but I've never personally worked on high volume applications, there's only so much you can do by reading stuff or watching tutorials or emulating high volume in your side projects. There's so many x-factors that come into play that you can only learn on the job.
  - wolco 8y ago
    Using services like loader.io I could simulate high traffic. That opened up a new world. I was able to test different configurations under stress to find the setup that performed the best for a specific application. Highly recommend stress or load testing.

k__ 8y ago

True, but then you have a job AND have to work on the side project. Working at a startup is a bit like going to university, while working a regular day job is like going to school. You have to find out what needs to be done by yourself, nobody cares if you succeed anymore.

bigtunacan 8y ago
Based on my experience that's a good thing. Many startups don't care about work/life balance so you are expected to work so many hours you get burned out. If you work with Big Corp and do a side project then you can take a break from the side project if you are feeling burned out and you have a lot more stability.

jorblumesea 8y ago

I would dispute the idea that you get any better mentorship opportunities at a large company or well established fortune 100 companies. In theory people are less busy and have more time, but the motivation isn't really there to improve or groom team members as the general attitude is "rest and vest". It's something the industry seems to struggle with across the board.