Pros
Relative independence:
Given a goal or priority, you're given the freedom to define an approach and commit to it.
Direct exposure to outcomes:
When you deliver a feature, you know exactly who's using it and will get feedback on how they feel about it.
Ethical industry:
You're not trying to collect and sell user data. You're helping organizations gain insight into their water usage and giving them tools to act on this insight.
Nice humans:
At Emagin, I am able to relate to people honestly and productively with compassion. At previous jobs, I've been dismissed and felt like I wasn't being taken seriously.
Cons
Working in a startup can feel hectic and disorganized. New people are added. Teams are re-organized. Communication habits need to be established. This can feel stressful for some people, as it can feel as if the management is apathetic or uncaring.
Related to this "dynamicism", there are multiple occasions when claims were made and then not provided. For example:
- Computer hardware, such as laptops and monitors predicted to arrive within a month have not arrived 6 months later
- Insurance coverage, claimed to be fulfilled before the next year, delayed until Series A funding is acquired.
Neither of these are particularly important to me, but over-confidence can feel like deception for some.
Compensation is okay. If I cared, I could "sell out" and go work for some adtech company, but instead I'm staying.