In the bay area this seems an increasingly irrelevant question (join a startup vs. big company), compared to grads deciding between joining and startup and starting a startup. I'd be curious to see more discussion on that pros/cons surrounding that decision for new grads.
Totally. This is definitely something I'm seeing on the East Coast as well (Although at a lower rate than those deciding between startup and big co.) The advice I've generally been given is to start a company as soon as possible, because nothing can prepare you for the world of being a founder. In reality, my experience working for a startup has been incredibly useful in shaping how I think about starting my own company. Looking back I feel I was relatively clueless right out of college, and working for a startup first has been an awesome choice for me. But again, I am just one data point.
Looking back from my first job after college, I feel I was relatively clueless right out of college.
But looking back from my startup after my first job, I was relatively clueless in my first job.
And looking back from my big-company job after my startup, I was relatively clueless in my startup.
I don't think this ever ends. Rather, you just become relatively less clueless compared to all the other nincompoops founding startups. Repeat often enough and maybe you can convince someone to give you lots of money.
A great point he makes is about friends and family (especially those not in silicon valley)--it's hard for them to understand why you would give up a stable job for uncertainty.
