Why You Should or Should Not Work at a Startup by Justin Kan

TL;DR

Justin Kan argues against joining a startup due to typically poor management, low probability of getting rich, and lack of stability; he then argues for joining because it gives access to jobs you are unqualified for, serves as a gateway to founding your own company, and maximizes your speed of learning regardless of the startup’s success or failure.

Key insights

• Most startup management is bad; there are only “rocket ships with bad management” and “other companies with bad management.”
• Early-stage startups rarely provide enough mentorship or direction unless you actively force people to give it.
• Statistically, joining a startup will not make you rich – it is not a reliable path to financial security.