This is quite a common question asked by many who wants to shape their career in the field of design. The answer to this is not about finding the pros and cons in Corporate or a Startup but it is about deciding what you want to achieve as a designer. Corporate is an established system with policies, processes, big teams, varied culture and of course posh offices, but you as an employee (fresher or lateral) is confined to a place with a machine to work on given tasks. How much of these tasks are helping you shape your career is what matters.
This question is answered by someone who is a Startup Founder with work experience at Corporate, Startups and Midsize companies.
Who should get into a Corporate job?
We are living in a system where our identity is defined not by what we do and like but where we work and what we earn. This is how 80% of the system is, which makes students or employees choose a big corporate brand. Family can proudly say my son/daughter is working for so-called MNC and they get XYZ package and perks. People who like to have a comfort zone of 9 – 6 job, perks of MNC, cabs, meal passes, team outings, Friday lunches and weekend holidays, the Corporate job is for them. Hassle free days and cheerful weekends. One should get into Corporate job only with a passion that their life is meant for MNC if the passion is to do something else, achieve something then people just crib every day in any MNC.
The Pros of a Corporate
- Big brand to brag in the society
- Proper company policies, processes, timings, perks, and fun
- Stable job (not guaranteed) to lead a peaceful life
- The opportunity of easy loans, credit cards, food passes, and other MNC offers
- Nice salary package(not all companies) to plan your living
- Facilities in the office like print, free laptop (not for all), transport, food.
The Cons of a Corporate
- Internal politics will change the way you behave with a person
- Your initial peers will become your enemies with politics
- Hikes will not be as lucrative as expected (many times)
- Work stress will impact health issues during crunch times (especially seniors)
- Salary does not grow always to meet your needs, frustration leads to job changes
- HR is not sweet always to fulfill your demands, they have their own pressures.
- Your work and career is what matters and not the brand logo or building.
- Some companies have strict dress codes to follow, not everyone might like.
- Not suitable for someone who feels like owning and doing things
- Not suitable for someone who is passionate about the chosen field
- For someone who is skilled, put brains at home and come to MNC and for someone who is not skilled then MNC will be a money earner for you.
- Top qualified students of less qualified experienced professional, everyone under one roof with egos and politics.
Who and why should get into a Startup?
Startups are booming these days and of course, there are a lot of failure stories as well which usually bring negative opinion in joining them. Startups are something more than a simple idea, it is a place which is run with passion by a handful of folks with a strong belief that the idea will be a game changer. But, one should be careful when choosing a career in a Startup. You should join a Startup by not listening to what their idea is and how it is going to impact the market, but on what planning is done by the team in terms of a road map. Not all Startups will become successful because there are certain standards on which every company runs which is salaries, operations, marketing, and other overheads. One should have a fair knowledge of mitigating all these things. Anyone can join a Startup as long as you see there is a scope for funding, the founders are having good network and skills, finally, decent funds to run the show for at least a couple of years.
The Pros of a Startup
- If idea clicks well, funding happens then you have a good future.
- Opportunity to work in a collaborative atmosphere with all levels of people.
- Working closely with founders, investors and others help in gaining knowledge.
- More skills can be added to your hat beside the core area of expertise.
- Business nuances can be learned.
- Being a core member in Successful startup gives you better chances of earning much bigger than one can imagine.
The Cons of a Startup
- Not all Startups will have lavish offices
- No proper timings can be assured in Startups
- Polices, offer letters, perks etc are something you can simply forget about in many cases
- Come on your own and go on your own, you pay you to come.
- Sometimes salary may come late and sometimes you may not get also, just adjust.
- No funding means chapter close.
- Your resume will be chaos with a lot of things happening.
- Don’t expect to work only on one thing, you will do things beyond your skills
The Conclusion
Startups are an ideal choice for anyone who is entering the UX field because they will get a chance to work with the stakeholders, be part of meetings, discussions, get insights in sales and marketing. You can share your ideas and broaden your thinking in Startups. Many Startups these days pay pretty well as they know the value more than the Corporates. My personal vote goes to joining a Startup anytime but by doing little research about them.
