Working for a Big Company vs Working for a
Small Company.

Making My Decision To Move To A Small Company

When I made the decision to quit my first postgraduate job at a large (20,000 people large) successful consulting firm and go to a small startup-consulting firm, I felt like the decision was huge. When I notified my old job most of my co-workers had mixed reactions, some told me I would be running back, other’s told me that I should do it now since I am young and could afford to take the risk. After working at the large firm for close to three years I was beginning to get comfortable and to some extent lazy. I will never forget what one of my co-workers, who was a subcontractor from a small company told me; he sent me an email saying that I was about to make a great decision and that working for a small companies has advantages and disadvantages, but that it would force me to work harder and tap into my innovative entrepreneurial spirit. After a month of weighing the pros and cons, I made the switch.

So far I am glad I made the switch. At first I really did not like the project that I was tasked to but I was still willing to give it a chance. The one thing I love most about working for the company is the entrepreneurial aspect of it. Since the company is so small I get to interact with the upper management a lot; I can call the CEO or the VP anytime I need to, the tech director is a phone call away, its great. It actually feels like you are more then just an employee number but that you are apart of something.

Feeling Good About My Decision To Work For A Small Company

Last weekend the company had its first All Hands meeting at a resort on the Chesapeake Bay for the entire weekend, I even got to bring my girlfriend along. It was at this All Hands that I really felt a part of something. I got the opportunity to sit in a meeting with the CEO, VP, Tech Directory Co-CEO and all the rest of the company (a total of about 8 people). What I loved most was that everyone had the chance to be heard regarding their opinions and suggestions on the direction the company should take; I didn’t get that at the large company I was at. I mean the CEO had his family there, all the employees got to bring their families, we all had dinner and a lot of drinks, it truly was good times. It’s that type of intimate interaction with decision makers that I did not get at the large company where I felt like I was just a number.

Aside from the close interaction with my bosses, it’s also rather inspirational and educational to work at a small company, especially since I have a desire to work for myself. The CEO of the company is 33, his wife works in the company, his mother is the CFO, his brother is the co-CEO, and his cousin in law works in the company as well, I love that. He has not only created a way for him to provide for himself, but has also created a way for members of his family to contribute to the company success and provide for themselves. I feel like anyone can work hard and become rich, but if you are able to help other people help themselves, then that is truly my measure of success. It is inspiring to be able to see how someone is building their success through entrepreneurship, that alone makes working here worthwhile. I wouldn’t say that I have drank the Kool-aid and that I am ready to devote my life to working for this company or any company, but I feel like it is a good step in the direction of working for myself. What better way to learn how to run a company then to work closely with someone that is doing it?