6 Reasons to Work at a Startup
Over the past few years, #StartupLife has manifested an air of glorification that working for one leads to unlimited office kegs and coffee, doggie co-workers, relaxed time off, and so forth. I’m not here to debunk the myth, but to build on the real perks of working at a startup.
1. Learning to be your own boss: If you’re part of a small team and you don’t have unlimited resources, chances are you are more often than not in charge of yourself and your time. This is both a daunting and amazing challenge to revere. Consider time management and priority setting two new skills to add to your resume.
2. Business is hard: This may sound trite, but there are high highs and low lows. If you have ever had interest or desire in starting your own business, there’s a ton to soak up when you’re part of a company that could sink or swim any quarter. A lot of decisions in terms of product and pipelines will evolve in order to meet business goals. These core business lessons are perhaps the most valuable if you are able to be involved.
3. Innovation really happens over coffee: The number of times I’ve walked into the office and seen the business development team huddled over bagels and coffee at 10am recreating our pricing plan or discussing the pitch of a product that hasn’t been developed is immeasurable. Important discussions rarely happen in meetings and more often when the mood strikes.
4. Learn to love new hats: If #1 doesn’t resonate with you, then this may not be your cup of tea. Building on #2, when products change, so do roles and focus. The job you sign up for in the first place may not exist 6 months later, but if you’re open to learning your next new skill set, then you will thrive.
5. Creativity is your best friend: Bouncing off #4, when your job changes, your best friend will be the creative spin you bring to something you know nothing about. When products and goals change, even your superiors or founders will be on a learning curve, bringing a fresh inventiveness will be welcomed with many thumbs up emojis.
6. Avoiding burnout is necessary: At the end of each day or week, it often feels like you’ve worked a lifetime. Though an exaggeration, this type of go go go can really zap your energy. While being the best employee you can be, it’s also incredibly important to have a smart balance to it all.
Startup life is exciting, and I would never trade the constant scramble for a real human resources department. If you didn't catch us at DC Tech Day, download our app, Lynx, or check out our site if you're interested to learn more about our company!