Startup vs Big Company: Saan maganda mag-build ng career?

Ensure that your chosen path aligns with your goals, values, and work ethic.

Choosing where to build your career is a critical decision, even more so when the job market continues to be competitive. Ikaw, sa tingin mo, saan ka mas bagay, career-wise? Deciding between a startup and a big company can be tough, lalo na kung fresh out of college ka palang. Pareho naman silang may kanya-kanyang advantages but it all boils down to your goals, values, and work ethic, which will guide you to find the best workplace where you can thrive.

Siyempre, it’s best to take the time to reflect on what matters most to you in your career. The answers may not come to you overnight pero mas maigi ng maging segurista as early as now.

At the moment, let’s explore the key differences and benefits of getting hired at a startup vs big company:

Startup: High risk, high reward

• Innovative environment. Startups often embrace rapid change and innovation. Marami mang learning opportunities at growing pains, meron naman sense of immediate impact ‘pag na-implement ang mga ideas mo. Just be prepared for immense pressure and a lot of uncertainty, but that’s sorta part of the charm of working at a startup.

• Broad responsibilities. If you’re young, curious, and want to make a difference in the world, startups are the place to be. You’ll most likely wear many hats that can help you develop various skills and gain diverse experiences.
  

• Flexible work hours. Kung work-life balance ang top priority mo, startups can give you that with remote or hybrid work options. Most offer flexible schedules kasi mas valued ang quality ng performance mo over how many hours you spend on a task.

• Equity opportunities. Startups typically operate using investor funds pero ‘pag nag-ROI na sila and if the company succeeds, you get compensated significantly with stock options or equity.

Big company: Stability and structured growth

• Clear career path. Large companies usually have well-defined career paths and promotion structures. May “career ladder” kang aakyatin if you want a more predictable and steady career progression, unlike startups na unti-unti palang bumubuo ng career paths for their employees.

• Comprehensive benefits. Established companies often offer extensive benefits packages, including retirement plans, health insurance, transportation allowance, and 14th- or 15th-month pay. These are on top of annual increases and performance bonuses that can provide you a greater sense of stability, lalo na kung may mga dependents ka.

• Learning and development programs. ‘Pag nasa big corp. ka, they really invest in you. Employee development through formal training programs and mentorship opportunities fosters long-term growth and skills upgrades.

• Networking opportunities. With a larger workforce, mas maraming chances to meet other professionals across various departments in your chosen field. Kaya take advantage of company-wide events to build your network with those you can learn from for your career growth and personal development!

Choosing a job is not a one-size-fits-all decision. If you thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing environment and are excited by the idea of playing multiple roles and taking risks, mas bagay sa’yo mag-startup. However, if you seek stability and want to climb up the career ladder, a big company may be more suitable.

May mga pagkakataon din naman na wala tayong choice kundi tanggapin na lang kung ano ang andiyan and then we settle in it for a while. Mahirap man makahanap ng trabaho in this economy, you’ll always have your big 3 to guide you to be in the right company: your career aspirations, personal values, and worth ethic.