Intern at Big Companies vs Startups

May 28, 2024

Colab Squad

"Should I Interning at FAANG vs Startups?" - a common question for aspiring interns!

I spend a few minutes every day on Reddit and LinkedIn, and interviewing students to understand their concerns more closely. A frequent question is whether to intern at startups or big tech companies.

Most students, just starting out, default to aiming for top companies. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people apply to these positions to gain experience. However, they often overlook that while the FAANG tag may be attractive, it's not always the best way to gain experience in their field of study. Here's why:

1. Corporations employ a large number of people, with interns often at the bottom of the pyramid. This can limit your view of the operations pipeline.
2. There's usually a management hierarchy that needs to approve most of your actions.
3. Since more senior employees handle major projects, interns usually work on small parts of larger projects. This can limit your engagement with the team and result in a less intensive skill-building experience.

Big companies may offer appealing perks, but remember, you can always get that coffee or snack at your favorite place. Early in your career, it's about making an impact.

The situation changes at a startup. These young companies often operate more quickly than big tech and need to establish a presence. Some benefits of startups include:

1. As newer companies, they often use the latest technologies, tools, and software, providing a fresh perspective and easier start.
2. Startups usually have smaller, tight-knit teams, allowing you to understand processes beyond your role and offering a variety of work.
3. Smaller teams facilitate internal networking, helping you expand your meaningful connections.
4. Startups are open to ideas! They're more welcoming to new concepts and quick changes compared to corporations, where ideas may be welcome but slow to implement.

Overall, there are ample opportunities in the workforce, it's about knowing where to look and how to maximize your chances of success.

That's why we created the Colab's Internship Hackbook - to provide insider tips on how to progress and get your foot in the right door.

Download Internship Hackbook

At Colab, we show you the way, provide direction, and move the needle where it's most beneficial. If this resonates with you, send us your email from the top right corner of the blog, and we'll invite you to the interviews when we open our slots.