The idea that working for a small company that fails is damaging to one’s career is a durable bit of propaganda. It probably originated as a way for big compani

The idea that working for a small company that fails is damaging to one’s career is a durable bit of propaganda. It probably originated as a way for big companies to discourage their people from shopping around. You can picture IBM execs, after the company singalong, telling ghost stories about the Man Who Joined a Startup, with themes from Icarus or fairy tales where someone strays from the village and is eaten by wolves. Being part of a small company that fails sucks while it’s going down, but quickly turns into a new adventure for people that are open to it.