Why should you work for a startup?
For many years, the traditional career path was to graduate from school and pursue a linear career path with a corporation. People expected to stay with the same company for years, slowly working their way up the corporate ladder, and after a long (but stable) career, they would retire.
Today, there are tons of options for people seeking new career opportunities or looking to pursue a different path and many of these are with startup companies. You’ve probably heard a lot about startups (interest in them has been rising steadily over the past few years), but have you considered working for one?
While life at a startup may not be for everyone, there are many reasons to include startup companies in your job search. Like with any job search, you should always do your research to find a role that’s the right fit for you. Startup environments allow you to be innovative, to learn, and to take leaps in your career. Keep reading to find out some of my top reasons for why you should make joining a startup your next career move!
Making an impact
Working with a startup company, you’ll find ample opportunities to make an impact through the work that you do. There are lots of examples of tech companies positively affecting the world around them through innovative products and using the latest technologies.
For example, Asana is a project management tool (and one of the tools that we use at Thinkific!) that is on a mission to help teams work effortlessly and more effectively. At another company called Kiva, they’re using technology to connect people in underserved communities with loans — capital that can be used towards education, to grow their businesses or to help provide for their families — in order to provide opportunities to help people and change lives.
Here at Thinkific, we’re on a mission to revolutionize the way people learn and earn online by giving them the tools they need to turn their expertise into a sustainable business. We’re lucky enough to have an impact not only on our customers but also on the students that they’re able to reach with their courses!
The people
With these impactful missions and the chance to work with exciting new technologies, startups often attract people who are incredibly smart, ambitious, and passionate about what they do. You won’t come across people who look at their jobs as simply punching a clock and taking home a paycheck. Those who join startups are dedicated to the cause, and they’re all working towards a common goal.
At a startup company, the people are the foundation of the culture. Every person who joins the company helps to shape the company culture — for better or for worse. You spend so much time at work, so it’s important to surround yourself with people that align with your values and who you enjoy being around. The good news is there are lots of companies out there who have been able to build amazing cultures! Do your research, put together a list of companies you’re interested in learning more about, and check out resources like Glassdoor reviews and company social media accounts. You’ll quickly get a sense of the amazing people you would be working with at each company!
Growth opportunities
If you’re working for a startup, there’s a good chance you’ll be working with a smaller team and will play a key role in contributing to the success of the company. From day one, you’ll be able to start contributing to the success of your team and step up when the occasion arises, whether you’re just starting out in your career or you’re already a seasoned pro.
While some people may shy away from these moments, working at a startup means you’ll be surrounded by passionate, driven people who are eager to learn and grow — they’ll embrace these opportunities! It’s a chance to develop new skills, develop professionally, and show that you have the drive to grow your career in a fast-paced, growing company.
The benefits (beyond ping-pong)
For many people, the mention of a “startup” will bring to mind images of ping-pong tables, beer Fridays, and dogs roaming around the office. While this laidback work environment can be a refreshing change of pace and a compelling draw for those coming from more traditional companies, it’s far from the only benefit of working at a startup.
Working at many startups, you’ll also find work environments to accommodate your lifestyle. Long gone are the days where cubicles and a 9-to-5 workday were the norms. In the world of startups, you’ll often find flexible working hours, opportunities to work from home (or even remotely!), and generous vacation policies. At Thinkific, for example, we believe that a happy, healthy, and well-rested team is a productive team. Our team members have been able to hike the El Camino in Spain, go on month-long bike trips across the country, and even work remotely from places like Korea, Panama, and the Philippines!
Future opportunities
If the learning experiences, the chance to make an impact, and the flexible work environments aren’t enough to get you thinking about a career with a tech startup, consider this: the tech industry is growing fast, and startups are at the epicenter of that growth.
In British Columbia (where Thinkific calls home!), the tech industry has doubled over the past decade, and it’s been projected that there will be over 47,000 new job openings in tech by 2021. Vancouver, in particular, has been identified as one of the top startup ecosystems in the world, with a value of over $10 billion.
With so many jobs and growth opportunities available in the industry and a long list of companies looking for talented people, the startup world is certainly worth some serious consideration as you think about making your next career move.
Learn more about startup jobs at Thinkific on our Careers Page, and stay updated on everything happening with #TeamThinkific on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter!
