1) No stepping stones. Do the thing you want now. Startups are not that risky, particularly if your very young 2)+3) Having time to yourself, time to develop o

1) No stepping stones. Do the thing you want now. Startups are not that risky, particularly if your very young 2)+3) Having time to yourself, time to develop ones many facets is important. But these questions sound like your deep down inside are not interested in working in a big company. You're in the fortunate position you can probably have a job you genuinely enjoy - do that 4) Try loads of stuff. You learn most in the first 3-6months. Ideally do loads of really different jobs for that amount of time, you'll learn tons about yourself. Always try to deliver great stuff. Quit if it doesn't feel right - people always stay in things they hate for ages. Paul Graham has some great essays on this topic, read them.