Accept New Job at a Startup and Leave Stable Gov Job?

7 comments

1. I am not risk adverse so I say yes. The government job does not offer much upside, but the startup does. I’d take the chance personally.

2. Startups are not at all guaranteed, not that any job is, but startups can be especially fluid and you need to know that going in. You could start on Monday and be laid off Friday with a couple of weeks pay if youre lucky, the upside comes with risk. You haven’t given nearly enough information for even a slightly informed decision.

3. It depends on where you live and what benefits. The government job tends to come with much less risk, and if you qualify for a pension, you will be paid for life at some point. The startup carries a lot of risk, but the enormous upside of a payday if the company is a success.

   Within my personal social circles, I know folks who worked for startups and had 7 and 8 figure paydays when the company was bought up or went public. And then from the public sector people who retired in their 50s with a six figure pension for life. But this is California. Government workers tend to be well paid here and a lot of new hires do not get this sort of pension.

   Something I have been told by my friends who worked in startups, that even if it is a mild success, you will be a pretty top candidate for working at other startups.

4. Someone once told me, “I’m glad I did, than wish I had.”

5. Is the startups idea not dumb? Do they have revenue or vc funding? How many people already work there? Whats the package like?

6. So I say yes take it… Even if it leads you back to public sector, you’ll be a better public servant for the experience. In some ways the grass is greener, in many they are not. Hell, big picture we need far more startup mindset / experience anyway. Cash some checks, build the CV, and enable yourself to serve the greater good better to boot.

7. I did it. No regrets!