To startup or to suit up?
It can be a huge risk joining a young company with an uncertain future. Some recent grads tend to pass over startups during their first real world job search because these companies aren’t as well-established as big name companies like Google or JPMorgan Chase. However, there are distinct benefits that can help recent grads grow professionally and quickly by joining a younger company. As recent grads who have worked and are currently working at the best startup ever, WayUp, where we help you get hired, we’ve laid out some of the rewards of keeping an open mind and diving into the startup world.
Relaxed dress code
Don’t want to break the bank buying (and dry cleaning) outfits from J.Crew? Join a startup and you don’t have to. You can come to work in workout clothes, in jeans or in a sweatshirt that says “Wine Don’t Whine.” Unless you’re meeting with an important client, it’s less about dressing to impress and more about the work that you put in.
More responsibility
While every startup is different, it’s rare that you’ll have a typical 9-5 day where you clock in, clock out and feel like just another cog in the wheel. Each day is different, with lots of tasks to accomplish and goals to hit, meaning that you’ll find yourself with a substantial workload while recent grads at larger companies might be doing nothing more than busy work. Sure, they’ll have the big name company on their resume, but you’ll have accomplished tasks that only people at a senior level will be responsible for. What’s a better resume booster: pushing paper or doing the real work to make things happen? Startups will give you the opportunity to be the boss at a young age.
Learn new skills fast
Along with the high level of responsibility, startup employees are often asked to dive into uncertain territory because demands are so great. The role you’re given at a startup rarely means that it’s all you’ll be doing. Whether you’re asked to take on the company’s social media strategy, make partnerships with influencers who can take your brand recognition to the next level or try your hand at customer support, you will constantly learn new skills – meaning you’ll rarely get bored. The “f*ck it, ship it” mentality of startups (meaning you get your work done and get it done fast) will also train you to hit the ground running in unfamiliar territory instead of mulling over whether or not your work is perfect–to the point that it’s unproductive. Employees who are ready and willing to take on new tasks to help the company succeed will thrive in this environment.
Accessible hierarchy
At a larger company, you’ll rarely interact with the “higher-ups” or get to see how upper management ticks. At a startup, it’s not uncommon to interact with the CEO and founders every day — even sit right across from them. This means you get a clearer idea of the company’s direction and the vision of its leaders. You can easily ask for feedback or approval from major decision-makers without worrying about the all red tape major corporations struggle with.
Young coworkers
Startup employees are often in their early 20s and 30s, including upper management. This band of youthful employees makes the office much more fun and relaxed, with an exciting environment that has cool amenities (think ping pong tables, bean bag chairs, a keg and a Swagway). When everyone’s around your age–or, at the very least, young at heart–it’s easy to make fast friends with your coworkers and it’s certainly not uncommon to hang out outside of work.
Help build a business from the ground up
As a recent grad, it’s so easy to feel like you’re lost in your life path. You’re constantly asking yourself questions like, “What’s my dream career? What should I be doing with my life?” Being a part of a startup gives you a sense of purpose because you can see a measurable impact from the work you put into an early stage company. That impact shows that you matter and in the midst of the quarter-life crisis everyone goes through, there’s nothing more comforting than knowing that.
Think a startup is the right place for you? Startups are hiring recent grads (and college students!) like you. Apply today on WayUp!
