I didn't vote and I'm surprised that I don't see a comment about this topic: it's heavily context-dependent, and at different stages in someone's career the pen

I didn't vote and I'm surprised that I don't see a comment about this topic: it's heavily context-dependent, and at different stages in someone's career the pendulum may swing from one side to the other. I believe that I would enjoy working for myself, and I kind of did so for a few years as a contractor, but what I really would enjoy is providing a software product or service that people paid for and where I had full creative control. I believe that working at a job provides many benefits: If the company is big, you may work on problems at a scale or magnitude that is difficult to stumble into on your own. You may find mentorship, teaching, or growth opportunities when working at a company that will be harder to find when working for yourself. You'll find it easier to get your code reviewed when working on a team than on your own. You'll probably enjoy a much wider variety of social interactions in your day job if you're working at a big company than on your own. You will get a lot more independence and the chance to really own your success and your failure if you work on your own. You'll get a much bigger piece of the pie if you find huge success on your own. And finally (yeah right, this list could go on ad nauseam) you'll be much more likely to enjoy a steady paycheck, paid right when you expect it, if you work for a company.