My advice to 20 year olds, don't go to startups, go to big tech while it still pays good salary, build up your wealth, network and how things work at such corporations.
Then at mid 30s get hired as Dir/VP of engineering in smaller Series A startup.
You will have higher chance to retire early and/or afford yourself to work on things you like later on.
Relevant blog post: https://www.gayle.com/blog/2011/10/29/why-coders-shouldnt-jo...
Something ironic I found when I was on my last job search (and applying to some YC startups) was that, despite startups often being critical of big tech, when describing their past experience, the founders (and their teams) never failed to ‘name drop’ the brand-name companies they’ve worked for.
Additionally, I think the reason a lot of founders threw my resume in the trash was because they couldn’t recognize the no-name startups I’ve worked at… Luckily I’m at a household name company now and even non-tech people recognize the company I work at.
Doesn't part of your soul die when you start working for big tech? All that youthful energy and hope to push a potentially meaningless product. Such a sad thing to watch potential and idealism get crushed.
I understand its provocative statement - your play is the risk free life route - perfect for many many people but not everyone. Certainly not people who want to build things that go into the wild.
Doesn't part of your soul die when you start working for big tech?
I learned more at Microsoft than any of the startups I worked at. I shipped product to more users than at any startup I worked at.
I understand its provocative statement…
Meh, more of an example of “begging the question” than anything else.
Don't forget why YC wants more young people to work for startups, they benefit from couple of successes and their metric is to increase number of companies they want to invest, which requires more number of cheap engineers/interns giving their life.
Your chances of success is lower than YC's chances of success because they invest to many companies in parallel, but you can only work for 1 company
Understanding people and companies incentives doesn't mean that it is inherently bad as you are implying. YC is also investing in a bunch of people and putting money towards new ideas. Lets not forget that innovation is difficult and fraught with failure.
People who want to go that route and feel strongly about it should give it a shot with their eyes open.