Ask HN: What was the most important investment in your career?

1 pointsyeaman12314y ago5 comments

I am currently at a career crossroad with multiple offers and sort of lost on where to go. Would like to hear what people who were in my position did. Anonymized because people I interviewed with may be reading this

Me: BS in CS. 4-5 years experience in Field A, very hot field these days.

Currently have 3 offers

Company A - very safe bet financially, stocks more than doubled in this decade. Joining a team that does work in an Area I have no experience in doing work I have no experience in (would be a total career pivot, not as hot as Field A)

Company B - Safest bet financially, very big name, Couldn't exactly tell what they work on as they are very secretive about everything. Role will be more software/implementation based but still exposed to state of the art in Field A.

Company C - Not a safe bet at all, industry had a boom and bust and so did the company. Company went through restructuring to get rid of old C-levels. New investments are in but no guarantee on success. Will be doing the research and implementation in Field A alongside some PhDs, wearing many hats and touching a lot of different and interesting areas.

I am sure 50,000 of you have been where I am now, would like to hear your thoughts on how you look back at your decision.

5 comments

PaulHoule4y ago

B and C seem to dominate A unless you desire to leave field A.

It sounds like you don't like the secrecy at B but the financial security is the best.

C would give you the greatest chance to develop in Field A, whether or not the company succeeds. It sounds like you will be able to get visibility for the work you did, but you risk having do go through the hiring process at some point down the road (1-3 years?)

Personally I worked for a company like Company C twice, one time it was a big upgrade in my career, the other time I had a lot of fun, stayed a year, and had a long job search and would up at something more like A where I am today, but I feel like I am developing personally and professionally now.

yeaman1231OP4y ago

Thanks for the perspective!

> Personally I worked for a company like Company C twice, one time it was a big upgrade in my career, the other time I had a lot of fun, stayed a year, and had a long job search and would up at something more like A where I am today, but I feel like I am developing personally and professionally now.

do you feel the same developments (both personal and professional) would've happened if you jumped to Company A directly?

PaulHoule4y ago

Yes

1 more reply

antasvara4y ago

What's your goal here? For a lot of people, work isn't their passion and a safe financial bet is the best possible outcome. Some people are passionate about their work, but have family/monetary obligations or goals that require them to make the high salary choice. Others are early enough in their career that it's totally acceptable to take a risk for something that could pan out super well.

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Ask HN: What was the most important investment in your career?

1 pointsyeaman12314y ago5 comments

Me: BS in CS. 4-5 years experience in Field A, very hot field these days.

Currently have 3 offers

I am sure 50,000 of you have been where I am now, would like to hear your thoughts on how you look back at your decision.

5 comments

PaulHoule4y ago

B and C seem to dominate A unless you desire to leave field A.

It sounds like you don't like the secrecy at B but the financial security is the best.

yeaman1231OP4y ago

Thanks for the perspective!

do you feel the same developments (both personal and professional) would've happened if you jumped to Company A directly?

PaulHoule4y ago

Yes

1 more reply

antasvara4y ago

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse