4 Reasons 20-Somethings Belong at Startups
One of the best decisions I have ever made is to work for a startup. Here is why I would highly recommend it to any 20-something:
- Wear many hats.
Possibly the best reason to work for a startup in your early 20’s is that you get to wear many hats. If you have seen Silicon Valley, you know that startups typically consist of teams of 5. FIVE people to grow and run a company. There is a lot involved with running and growing a company and the fact that there are so few people on the team means that everyone wears many hats. This is great for you because this means that you will learn how to be great at many different areas of business by being thrown in the deep end.
Joining an established company means you will have a defined role with the company doing one thing — which is great once you have a specialty or know exactly what you want to do. But at this early stage of your career, let’s be real — you may be good at lots of things but you are not specialized in anything yet. Dabble. Wear many hats. Figure out what you love. Specialize in that. Or don’t and just be a well-rounded bad ass.
2. Be heard.
Startups are the opposite of bureaucracy. If you have a great idea, share it. If it is a good one it could be implemented the same day. Many companies say that they believe in a horizontal workplace or welcome everyone’s ideas. Honestly though, they just don’t or can’t. Being a part of a company with fewer people on the team pretty much guarantees you will be heard. As the wonderful Sharon Sanders says, “sit at the table.” Lucky for you, there are less people competing for seats in a startup.
3. Take risks.
At this early stage of your career you have the fewest commitments and things depending on you. I know — you definitely do have a lot on your plate, including: rent, car payment, car insurance, credit card debt, student loans, family relationships, friendships, and possibly a significant other in your life. But as we get older and more established there is a lot more to lose. Now is the best time to take risks. There is less to lose and the world is so much more forgiving of a 20-year old “failing” than a 40-year old “failing” at something. You have more time to recover and turn that “failure” into a stepping stone.
4. Work hard.
Work hard because you are passionate about what you are doing. This is something that is hard for me to articulate, but there is something supremely special about choosing to work hard for something without the goal of a paycheck or because a boss/parent/teacher is looking over your shoulder. Finding what motivates and drives you will only empower you to learn how to bleed that work ethic into other areas of your life.