Dear JobsBlog: Why should I start my career at Microsoft, rather than a startup?
Dear JobsBlog:
When I talk with colleagues who are computer science grads, I find that startups get a lot of hype. I am not sure if I should pursue a tech career at a startup or at Microsoft–where I know there are plenty of opportunities. What should I consider as I decide? –Plotting and Planning
Dear PAP:
Startups can seem exciting, but when you consider tech jobs, remember the risks. When you picture success at an early-stage company, you may take inspiration from the money you will earn once the company “hits it big.” But here is the truth: Half of all startups don’t make it past their fifth year in business.
On the other hand, choosing Microsoft to launch your career provides nothing but upside. Here’s why:
· You will work on challenging projects that will stretch your skills.
· Some of the industry’s brightest minds work here and they foster a culture that makes tech grads feel welcome.
· We offer cutting-edge training and unrivaled mentoring from the tech industry’s top talent.
· Our career paths provide clear steps for success.
· Our benefits are the best in the business.
· Microsoft is getting ready to launch some of the most exciting products you’ve seen yet.
Don’t believe the hype. I admit I’m biased, but for tech jobs, Microsoft is your best bet.
Great question. I hope that helps.
–Kevin
6 Comments
Venkatesapalani Thangavelu said:
Hi Kevin,
Laser sharp highlighting points - Crafted the points,in such a way that everyone(Techs) would find at least one attractive point to get fit. - Nice.
With Regards
Venkatesapalani Thangavelu.
Caleb Chao said:
Doing a start up is a lottery. You work on one thing and if you get lucky, you make it big. Otherwise, you just float. And if it is bad, you are set back many years.
Working in Microsoft, or other large software firms, allows you to work on many different things. If you are into learning and experiencing the various aspects of the IT industry, this is an obviously better choice.
Of course, you will also have opportunity to learn, and maybe even contribute to the community by doing something really specialized with your start up. But what are the chances?
In reality, it probably matters most if you truly believe in your start up idea. If you do, go for it. But if you have to ask this question, I'd say stick with Microsoft, hone your skills. When you eventually have a great idea, it still isn't too late to do your start up then.
Caleb Mingle said:
That's great and all, but for some of us that didn't get a degree in CS but have been programming for years, we can barely get out of the resume stack or much less get a phone screen for us to display how enthusiastic we are.
Virat said:
This is a nice question that anybody should ask to him self once before switching.
Andrew said:
I started my career at Microsoft. It was a terrible mistake.
My entire social group is based upon the 2007 and 2008 new hire pool, and of the 20 odd people in our circle only 2 are left at Microsoft. Of those two, one is only there because of visa issues and the other because she is a PM and no other company treats PMs as well as Microsoft.
Microsoft has some great engineers and great products, but teaches you a way of thinking which is dead in the industry.
The rest of the world now moves at breakneck speed. Rapid iteration, rebuilding, minimum viable product and customer focus are the new world oder. You will learn none of these things in most teams at Microsoft. You should focus on being scrappy. Being tenacious. Thinking about your product and most importantly your customer. MS is a very slow moving organization. It has many false starts and has really failed at getting relevant products out the door.
Do you have to do a startup? No. I agree lots of people are playing the startup lottery right now. But there are many established, successful companies which you can join and get reasonable stable compensation and work on stuff that will matter in the future.
Good luck in starting your career! Its an exciting time to be an engineer.
Bill said:
So, startups don't "work on challenging projects that will stretch your skills"? Startups can't "launch some of the most exciting products you’ve seen"?
A startup isn't like Microsoft, but it may be like one particular project at Microsoft. Do more than half of all projects at Microsoft stay alive past five years?
You mention "risks", in the context of startups not surviving. Assuming it's a startup that pays a salary, what exactly is the risk? Are you assuming someone whose past 10 years was "3 different startups" somehow less valuable or employable than someone whose past 10 years was "3 different projects at Microsoft"?