Comment by Justsignedup
6 years ago
Building a network is an important thing... But let's not kid ourselves:
Most startups offer very little % for equity.
And that equity often amounts to next to nothing. Look at Uber or WeWork.
Most founders end up as assholes. Some are great, some care, some what to learn. Learning as a manager/founder is someone else's job. Stress is real. People do shut down from stress.
If you are a founder, that's great.
If you are like first or 2nd employee, and end up as CTO and such, that's great. If you can get a few % equity.
Overall most startups you work at you will make just barely what you'd make at Google or Microsoft (I'm taking post exit). During 2003 engineers didn't have the leverage we do now. Right now a junior engineer can make close to 200k+ in total compensation at a large firm. The work is different, but definitely more money most startups will ever give you.
> And that equity often amounts to next to nothing. Look at Uber
What are you talking about? Everyone who was early Uber is a millionaire now.
Sure, but they spent 6+ years getting underpaid and could have made much more at a Google/FB whose stock value has tripled with maximum liquidity throughout that time.
FYI if you joined Uber after 2014 your shares are currently underwater aka you have LOST money on your initial grant... your actual total compensation over the years went DOWN...