Should I Start out Working for a Large or Small Corporation
You’ll be surprised to know that many career counselors and say that it doesn’t matter. It’s almost like they think the question is so diverse an answer of I don’t know will suffice.
The truth is that this question has huge implications on your career. Choosing wisely does depend on several factors.
Large Corporations
If you graduated Ivy League and are going to start out near the top of the corporate structure, than a large corporation is the way to go. Some top graduates find positions in corporate management and receive salaries in the 200-500k range.
You must be aware of one important negative fact. The large corporation will own you. You will work longer and harder than you thought possible. The reward of big bucks will keep some people on, but most people will still decide to quite or get fired. Most people aren’t willing to give up absolutely everything for a big paycheck and find that out in the second or third year of employment. If, however, you can stick it out for five or more years, you can be pretty much assured a high paycheck and more reasonable, although, still long, hours.
Small/Medium Corporations
Suppose you graduated from the local state school with a solid B average. You aren’t eligible for top corporate jobs. Should you take a top position for a smaller firm or a lower position at a larger corporation?
You should take the position at the smaller company. Here’s why. Employers sometimes promote from within, but managers usually are looking for a specific skill set. If, for example, you were sweeping floors for the last two years, there isn’t any way you will be hired for a top position in the company.
When looking for a candidate, employers will bring in resumes and see who has the best job experience. Let’s see, would you rather hire a person from a small firm that knows a lot and has a lot of responsibility or a guy from your own company that isn’t doing a very complex or difficult job. What happens most of the time, is that the person with the best experience gets hired. This is an important lesson. The company isn’t loyal to the person. They are loyal to getting the best person; whomever it is.
The top priority of graduates should be to gain valuable experience. This is how people get into top jobs at large corporations. They work their way up through smaller companies.
Exceptions
Of course there are lots of exceptions. There are a few large firms that promote within and some smaller companies that claim they have a better job than they really do. And, there is something to be said for being in the right place at the right time.
The main point is to gain valuable experience early on. I would rather work free and really learn a trade than sweep floors and be paid. And, if you focus on learning a career with passion, you will become the best and highly sought after. The guy who just punches in and out and wants a regular paycheck doesn’t generally go very far.
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