While it might not always feel like it, there actually are a lot of options out there on the job market. Sure, sometimes positions in your desired field are limited. But, we can all agree that there’s no shortage of different types of places you could work.
For example, you could join the team at an exciting startup. You could land a full-time gig in a large corporate office. Or, you could give yourself some extra time and flexibility by scoring a part-time job.
All of these workplaces and opportunities offer something different. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy to decide which one is the best fit for you.
I’m a firm believer that there’s nothing better than a solid pros and cons list. So, let’s take a look at the positives and drawbacks of each of these work opportunities, so you can identify which one would mesh best with you, your schedule, and your career goals.
Startup
Pros:
1. Getting In on the Ground Floor
All of those large, influential companies that have instant name recognition? Well, they all began as startups. This is one of the largest draws for people employed by startups: The opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something that could potentially be huge.
Of course, this doesn’t always pan out. However, if and when it does? It means a big payoff for those early, crucial employees—quite literally.
2. Exciting Atmosphere
Due to that potential for a bright future, startups boast an incredibly exciting atmosphere. There’s a buzz in the air—everybody is passionate, driven, and motivated to work on something amazing.
The startup atmosphere can be drastically different from the culture and environment you find with any other company. And, that excitement is often what draws employees in.
3. Increased Responsibility
As you likely already know, startups start off pretty small. That means that each employee ends up wearing numerous different hats.
Startups offer the opportunity to try your hand at numerous different roles and projects. If that flexibility and variety appeal to you, a startup might be just what you’re looking for.
Cons:
1. Money is Tight
Since most startups are struggling to just get off the ground, money is often tight. And, that typically translates into lower salaries and less-than-deluxe benefits for employees—at least until things really get up and running.
For many, the thrill of working with a startup more than makes up for the smaller paycheck. But, it’s up to you to determine what matters most to you!
2. Large Workload
You get to wear a lot of hats—but, that also means that there’s a lot on your plate at any given time. Since early startups don’t have many employees to their name, you can likely expect to work some long, hard hours.
3. Uncertainty
When a startup thrives, it’s exciting. But, when it fails (as so many of them unfortunately do)? Well, then you’re out of a job.
The uncertainty and unpredictability of startup life can be thrilling—but, it can also be anxiety-inducing. So, if you’re somebody who prefers a lot of stability, you might not be best suited for startup life.
Corporate
Pros:
1. Security
As opposed to a startup, corporations have been around for years and years—meaning they offer a great deal of stability and predictability.
While you lose that thrill of not knowing what’s coming next, do have the added benefit of not needing to obsess over the future of the company and whether or not you’ll still have a job come next year.
2. Better Pay
Because corporations are more established, they also have their funding sorted out and their budgets in place. This means you can look forward to higher pay than you’d receive with a smaller, newer company.
And the benefits packages? Those are typically pretty solid as well. They may not boast ping-pong tables or flexible work schedules, but corporations definitely still have their perks.
3. Room for Growth
Corporations typically have a formal hierarchy in place. While that can feel limiting to some people, it also means there are tons of different ways for you to move up the ladder within your own organization.
Cons:
1. Red Tape
You definitely won’t enjoy as much independence or flexibility with a corporation as you do with a startup. In fact, there’s usually a hefty amount of red tape and politics you need to deal with—which means it can be difficult to make decisions and get things done.
This can undoubtedly be frustrating at times. So, if you don’t think you’re someone who can tolerate jumping through a few hoops, you might not be cut out for a corporate job.
2. Rigid Structure
While the formal structure of corporate environments means you can clearly see the path for advancement, it can also seem somewhat suffocating.
You won’t be wearing a bunch of different hats when working for a corporation. Instead, you’re given your role and your responsibilities, and you’re expected to fulfill those.
Part-Time
Pros:
1. Increased Flexibility
There’s one major benefit of working part-time: Increased flexibility.
Whether you want to attend school or work on a side hustle or a passion project, a part-time gig will give you the chance to earn a steady paycheck while doing so—without taking up a huge chunk of your time.
Cons:
1. Less Pay
As you likely already expect, working less hours means less digits on your paycheck. Unfortunately, bills need to be paid. So, if you can’t afford to work a part-time gig, you might have to sacrifice that added flexibility in order make ends meet.
Of course, there are other options outside of just these—such as working in government or at a nonprofit organization. However, the key to finding the job that’s best for you is to do this very same thing: Analyze the pros and cons.
Usually, that simple step alone is enough to immediately reveal which opportunity is a better fit for you and your own career goals. Good luck!
