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First job? DUMP that MNC. Go for a start-up!

Although MNCs may tempt you with a plump package, you may also want to consider situations where you may be asked to sit on the bench if you don't get a good project or even end up copy-pasting data unlike a start-up where you get to learn and master your skills from scratch. Illustrations by Uttam Ghosh

I have seen many bright guys in their final year, having been placed in one or couple of MNCs (multinational companies) through campus placement but have their heart with a start-up.

And are confused as hell about it. Sounds familiar? Well, this article then is for you.

Here, I will try to clear this picture of -- "joining an MNC" vs "joining a startup" for a fresher.

In this article, MNCs refer to fat indian (service) software companies. Read on

Courtesy: YourStory.in

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The timeline factor

Almost all MNCs provide you with training, mostly around 3-6 months with no guarantee to get tech-stack of your choice.

After that, you might get a project or go to the bench and even if you get a project, there is absolutely no guarantee for it being of your choice.

I have seen people making it to project some 1 or 1.5 years later after joining.

This timeline may change depending on company. Even in few popular companies, people copy paste things and fill excel sheets as their regular work.

If you consider investing the same time period with start-ups, many things change. Also, you get to learn many things. So, even if you work for 1-2 years in start-ups, you score a lot more for your time.

Giving the MNCs a fair chance, they do a decent job of training people and they have their reasons for making people sit on bench also. But come on, you can think for yourself.

Start-ups are better if you want to do post graduation

Actually, start-ups eat up more time than MNCs do.

So, if you need all the time for PG entrance preparations, then you might opt for an MNC and hope to sit on bench as well.

Otherwise, start-ups do really well to improve your profile. As discussed earlier, at start-ups you get to learn a lot of things in very short time.

Compare the salaries offered by both

Do keep in mind that "package" is actually "cost to company" or CTC, which includes your salary and cost of other facilities provided.

On the other hand, most start-ups only give salaries. So, keep an eye on what your package breaks into when you are comparing the two.

In case of start-up packages, funded start-ups pay well and close to market standards.

Salaries can be compartively lesser for non-funded start-ups.

Apart from package, there is one more thing to expect from a start-up which is very valuable and not available with an MNC -- ESOP (employee stock options). Start-ups get a lot of brownie points here.

What you can expect from a start-up

Being in a start-up is certainly not a regular job.

You won't be given a list of to-dos with deadline dates.

Most of the times, you will get to see vague thoughts getting shaped into ideas. You will get those ideas, think for yourself to create your to-dos and finish them.

You are not expected to do what you think you are expert at, but everything.

At a start-up, your role is from that of a peon to developer to tester to system administrator to marketer. So jump in, only if you are passionate and interested in what the start-up is doing.

Why start-ups rock...

Yes, they do. There are a lot of variables which decide success or failure for a start-up.

Also, there are equal chances of winning or losing for start-up.

But, you will get to have few stories and memories with you, which you will cherish forever.

How you can try and get into a start-up

Currently, there are many start-ups who hire freshers if they are passionate about programming.

So, if you are very good at something like python, rails, android then you won't have big problems.

There are few start-up job posting portals in India, where you may view some opportunities.

Also, keep your eyes open for new start-ups via the various start-up events or blog coverages, and apply to the ones that interest you.