Comment by mirawelner
13 days ago
This sort of thing is why I decided to do research so I could work at universities and small startups! I figured that way I could be away from the corruption and selfishness that exists in large tech companies.
Then my whole department got defunded. More fool me.
I’ve also found some small companies have even worse politics and infighting than large companies.
Having a great boss+team in a large company is probably the most ideal — at least while it lasts.
>I’ve also found some small companies have even worse politics and infighting than large companies.
Also matches my experience and I think I can explain why.
Small companies usually have tight social cliques (for better and for worse) which also translates to group think, more gossip, and less diversity of though as most people working there likely know each other form before or went to the same schools, worked at the same company before, etc.
Therefore if you don't click from the start with the core "gossip" group on all wavelengths, then your career prospects in the company are fucked.
Sayre's law: "Academic politics is the most vicious and bitter form of politics, because the stakes are so low."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayre%27s_law
Even many of those small startups are in the pocket of some unfavourable characters.
I would think there's almost more pressure in academia compared to private sector to sell your work as valuable.
By that I mean, in order to advance in ones career (assuming an intensive research track) one needs to bring in research money (i.e. regularly apply for funding) then publish research that came from that funding.
That funding needs to be managed (so basically a small business with allocating costs to equipment, labor, etc).
Then "sell" that published research at conferences.
Then manage/mentor a variety of students (because that's a key part of your labor supply).
And maybe even teach on top of that.
In private sector you just need to focus on your work making your boss/company money and if you want to manage people, learn how to communicate (listen and speak).
Well, I left academia 20 years ago, because of the perceived corruption and selfishness. I guess you just need to be lucky, no matter where you go.
Good luck anyways, I hope better times are on the horizon.