Startup — corporate experience views

Many think that the age is important factor to follow the unknown path of startup. While starting late certainly has its own advantages it has its own disadvantages as well.

Startup is something that is not college drop outs territory alone as typically perceived. It is not the age that matters but the commitment and passion towards something that you believe in. So if you think you have started your career instead of starting up after studies , you can always plan your strategy well to make it count..

Advantages of starting with prior experience

You build the funds required for startup yourself
While you work for someone else you can plan on saving to fund your venture and work towards it slowly. Being employed has its own benefits and having a fixed income regularly is one of them. Most of the startups need funds to cross the valley of death. Having some funds will give you better runway.

2. You can learn at cost of the company

Many companies want you to be trained to become better at job. If you are smart enough you can always pick the trainings and improve on your weak areas. Such trainings are usually expensive if pursued directly.

3. You can take some time to think clearly about startup before jumping into it directly.

Startups can be gruesome journey and you can start preparing for this while being employed. You can always start thinking and put your thoughts together , learn about market and prepare yourself better.

4. You can build credibility for yourself and get some good experience or exposure

While jobs are demanding , they often give good experience which will carry forward in your startup journey. You can also build credibility for yourself which will help your own personal brand / startup.

But then you need to be extra cautious about donning the corporate suit for too long else you may get trapped in forever !

Disadvantages of too much Corporatization

1. Getting used to perks of job , fixed income
Nothing is as comforting as that fixed income at the start of month. If you get too much used to it and build many liabilities , this is one sure trap that corporate builds for you.

2. Getting used to being in comfort zone

Corporates rarely have that risk factor and people are typically into a well defined roles in projects. Sitting too much into the comfort zone slowly paralyzes you..

3. Startup is different world altogether

Startups are a roller coaster ride where neither paths are known nor the seat belts are in. Corporate experience teaches mostly to apply a certain skills in known environment. Be prepared for the totally new experiences in startups where convention is to break conventions all the time.

4. Getting used to too much planning

Corporates love repeatable and predictable outcomes hence they spend good time in planning to ensure that all unknown are taken care off. Come to startups and you need to get off the block the next day and these blocks may keep changing..

5. Being a specialist

We all develop a specialization over years in corporate and climb ladder through that channel. Startups often need skills across functions and that too undefined roles and you may be expected to wear multiple hats.

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This post was earlier posted on medium at https://medium.com/@prashantpansare/startup-time-to-start-is-today-670ffb767dde 

comment below and let me know your views.