7 Reasons Why Working In a Startup Is the Best Way to Start Up Your Career

When that large corporation offers a higher income and better job security. Crippling university debt and an addiction to snowboarding (which isn’t exactly cheap) makes this all the more tempting. But I rolled the dice, joined WorkingMouse, and it’s significantly helped my professional development for a number of reasons. 

1. Greater Variety 

Too often, corporations hire personnel to complete a specific role. That’s where it starts and ends. Your particular skill set allows you to perform that role within the company, but there’s little room for exploration. Startups, on the other hand, don’t have the resources to hire an employee for each particular role. As a result, you’ll find yourself trying your hand at different tasks—tasks you weren’t taught at university or wouldn’t have attempted in a traditional role. My background is in law and business management, but just last week I was designing graphics. It’s a great way to equip yourself with skills that might be vital later on in your career.

2. Licence to Innovate  

For many startups, it’s all about experimentation and innovation. The fact that no process has been established helps breed this culture of innovation. It means you’re given the licence to go out and try different tactics to see what works best—which is only known after you’ve experimented. The ability to think outside the box is an invaluable trait, especially with artificial intelligence and automation continuing to rise in 2024. It’s also far more rewarding to find a solution to a business problem on your own. 

3. Learn From Entrepreneurs 

Very rarely, if ever, will you meet the CEO or any high-level manager as a graduate at a large corporation. There are simply too many cogs in the wheel. Contrast this to a startup with 10-20 employees, where you will invariably work closely with the founder. The founder will likely be an entrepreneur who identified a business problem and developed an innovative solution. Working closely with an entrepreneur gives you the opportunity to learn what it takes to run a business and understand the true challenges faced by startups. 

4. Awesome Work Environment 

Before I started at WorkingMouse, I thought a job involved turning up to work at 9 with a briefcase and sitting in a cubicle until 5. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The office is an open space, designed to encourage collaboration. We play music through the speakers, have guest speakers presenting on Fridays, and crack open a cheeky beer to help fuel the creative juices. The work environment at startups like WorkingMouse in 2024 is all about maintaining a balance between productivity and creativity, something you might not find in a traditional corporate setting. 

5. Make a Difference 

When I joined WorkingMouse, we had fewer than 20 employees. This means you’re not stuck in some corner working on mundane tasks that add no real value. Everything you do is noticeable and directly contributes to the success (or failure) of the business. It’s definitely more rewarding than being just another cog in the wheel. 

6. Age is No Barrier 

Startups embrace a new set of rules. Age or experience has nothing to do with your position at WorkingMouse. It’s based on one attribute—ability. Provided a new graduate has the ability to lead and a strong work ethic, there’s nothing stopping them from becoming a project lead. This merit-based approach will continue to define the startup space in 2024, where innovation takes precedence over seniority.  

7. Learn to be Self-Sustainable 

Being able to follow instructions is great, but it will only get you so far. In a startup, you’ll learn how to set your own goals and contribute without strict instructions or oversight. This is because no one has time to manage you—you need to manage yourself. Just like in university, no one’s peering over your shoulder while you complete your assignment. It’s a valuable trait and will serve you well as your career progresses. 

A lot of people want that corner office on the 54th floor, but chances are your first job won’t get you there. The best tools graduates can equip themselves with in 2024 come from joining a startup. And who knows, you may just be part of the next Apple. 

This updated version reflects the current year, uses Australian spelling, and keeps the same conversational and reflective tone as the original.