As an Engineer, all of us wanted to work in companies like
Infosys,
Wipro,
Satyam Mahindra Satyam & many other so called Indian MNCs. However, times seem to have changed now due to accessibility to lot of
resources available on the internet & some credit also goes to the change in our mindset. Startups have really become a buzz word & guys don't feel shy that they are now working in a startup !!! In fact, many of them even prefer working in startups than working in MNCs.
As per the recent update in my
LinkedIn profile, last 2 years provided me with the best learning(s) in my professional career and it was entirely in startups. In fact, I was thinking of an appropriate title for this article and one which struck me was "
Why should you AT LEAST ONCE work in a startup". Each one of us have a reason to do or not to do a thing, so if you are interested to work in startup than the following reasons may help you to decide "
Whether you should or should not" ....
Entrepreneurial litmus testIf you aspire to be an entrepreneur, it is very important to work in an early stage startup or should we say "
To pass the litmus test". There are MORE ups & downs in a startup which not only teach you to deal with difficulties but also help you understand yourself better. As for me, startups have taught me to survive on less money & also to understand "Whether I can myself startup sometime?". Working in a startup becomes the very first step to look within yourself & say "Can I do it?"...
Relationships MatterIn a startup, it becomes difficult to isolate from the startup community which in turn teaches the
Art of Networking. This not only helps to build the startup's brand through
WOM but also to network with fellow startup guys. Not to forget relationships inside the office; it is very important to keep best of the relations with every person inside the startup as well since, you cannot stay isolated neither inside nor outside your startup. It is a small world and you never know when you would again work with your colleague
Learn to save[for present & future]
There is a famous one liner "
It's all about the money honey". Every person in a startup always hopes for the best but is prepared for the worst.In other words, once you enter the startup arena, the first to do IMHO is to become a bit stingy and keep check on your finances. Hence,a startup would also turn out to be a finance institution !!!
ContributionIf you are a person who is interested in multiple things [being an expert in one], your startup may become "fuel to your interest/passion". Since the barriers are low in a small company, it becomes easy to contribute in multiple areas & prove your passion eg. Engineer with an inclination to marketing can help market the service/product which might be impossible to do in an established company.
ONLY results matterBig corporations focus on the process along with the results however, startups look out only for results. Hence, if you are a fresher looking out for some interesting work, startup would give you the push-up and later on MNC would give the necessary branding. Startups are less hierarchical and more result focused.
BootstrappingAs mentioned before, startups help to bring out your other qualities some of which you might have never exploited !!! This helps you master the
Art of Bootstrapping. This would become an important step not only when you startup but also when you are in a crisis situation[like the current tumbling economy].May be sometimes, it becomes necessary to be "
Jack of ALL trades than be a master of NONE"If you have some more reasons to share, please leave them in the comments and it would be added to the article.
.But soon, I remembered about my passport size photo in my wallet and that photo became a single line requirement for the barber.
]
Oh Oh wait, I was just kidding;how can I give up my second life !!! Now let me now jump to the crux of the story 
