For context, I am a full time, base pay + RSU earning consultant in the Professional Services department at AWS. I would much rather have the consistency of a pay check going into my account every month and stock (RSUs) being deposited into my brokerage account twice a year than hustling for a contract work - even if I got paid 50% more.

Besides, I don’t have to prove my competence with every client. The mere fact that I have an email address that ends with @amazon.com automatically gives me credibility.