Startup or Corporation? Decide Your Next Career Move

Today, the idea of lifelong company loyalty is no longer an obligation. With wave upon wave of new startups making the business landscape more diverse than at any other point in history, dissatisfied workers, uncertain fresh graduates and professionals seeking growth and learning may be facing a new dilemma - too much choice.

Startups are lean, mean and quick, appealing to those who are bold, innovative and tired of traditional business models. At the same time, new routes to career advancement abound in corporations eager to take in dynamic individuals moulded by the fast-paced startup culture.

For those looking to seize the opportunities lurking out there, it is always good to be prepared no matter which point of your career you are at. Let the following observations steer you towards a more informed decision when choosing between life at a startup or corporation.

Key Differences Between Startups and Corporations

Just as a full-sized tree sports multiple branches, large corporations comprise multiple smaller entities and departments; the scale and stability that a corporation holds are apparent to all. Conversely, a startup can be likened to a sapling that is still growing, with its future size and stability still currently uncertain. Corporations appeal to much of the working population as they offer steady growth; they progress slowly but smoothly, similar to travelling aboard a tram on a pathway that was planned and established by previous generations.

Meanwhile, the speed of growth in a startup is best described as a runaway train, where you are responsible for building new train tracks even as you blaze along freshly laid ones. While startups can reach their destination more quickly than they would otherwise, they also risk derailing from their expected growth trajectory and ending up nowhere.

You may also find it easier to learn from others while in a corporation – due to the large number of people it employs, there will always be somebody there who possesses new knowledge. In a startup, it might be more difficult to find opportunities to be coached or guided by others, as the teams are busy and constantly pressed by time and workload issues. As a result, people do not have the time to micromanage others, so you own your results. You have to take ownership of your own learning curve and be self-motivated to learn – no one is going to look over your shoulder constantly and point out what you need to do.

This means that you might be learning as you go at a startup, but without knowing what the ideal approach or solution is. However, over time, as you start building your own processes and understand how things should be done given the set of circumstances, you will arrive at the best-case practices for that particular startup. The experience gained by this hands-on, independent learning is a springboard for greater things down the road.