Before you join a startup, read this.
Pop culture often romanticises the startup life, with its promises of rapid growth, innovation, and the allure of creating something from the ground up.
But the reality of working in a startup is far from a dream montage of hackathons, ping pong tables, and late-night brainstorming sessions. It’s intense, unpredictable, and highly rewarding for the right kind of person—but not everyone is built for it.
If you’re asking yourself, "Am I better suited for a corporate environment or a startup?" this article is for you.
We’ve broken down the core differences in working styles between the two, thanks to insights from David Carbines, a former corporate employee turned twice-successful startup co-founder. David’s journey across both worlds offers valuable lessons for anyone considering their next career move.
1. You need to be proactive
The first thing David points out is that in a startup, no one is going to hand you a to-do list. Startups thrive on initiative, so you have to be proactive—constantly.
In a corporate setting, roles and tasks are usually well-defined. You know exactly what you’re responsible for, and you’re often given direction on how to execute those responsibilities. In a startup, it’s the opposite.
You must actively seek out problems and opportunities. If you only wait for assignments that fit within your job description, you’ll quickly find yourself sidelined.
People who flourish in startups are those who are curious, resourceful, and unafraid to step outside their traditional roles.
David explains, “It’s not just about the work you’re supposed to do; it’s about seeing what needs to be done, and getting on with it—even when it’s outside your comfort zone.”
Some people find this level of ambiguity disorienting. They prefer the security and predictability that come with specialised corporate roles.
But for others, the freedom to experiment and take ownership of tasks—regardless of their job title—feels exhilarating.
If you’re the kind of person who loves solving problems and taking on new challenges without waiting for permission, a startup might just be the perfect fit.
2. Expect to wear many hats
In a startup, job titles often feel meaningless. You’ll be asked to do everything from project management to product development to customer service—and sometimes all in the same day.
David mentions that one of the biggest adjustments for new hires is accepting that they’ll fail—possibly a lot.
“There’s a real chance that many of the projects you take on won’t work,” David says. “But in startups, failure is seen differently. It’s not just okay; it’s expected and embraced. The key is how quickly you can identify what went wrong and share that learning with the team.”
For those who tie their personal worth to the success of their work, this can be mentally exhausting. But if you can separate yourself from the outcome and see each failure as a step toward learning, you’ll thrive.
At the core, startups value agility and resilience. If you’re someone who needs the comfort of mastering one role or process, you may find startup life overwhelming.
On the other hand, if the thought of tackling new, unfamiliar challenges every day excites you, you’ll likely enjoy the constant diversity and growth that startups offer.
3. Embrace the steep learning curve
Startups often feel like learning on steroids. You won’t just be perfecting the skills you were hired for; you’ll be learning new disciplines across the board.
David highlights that in startups, each project is likely to touch multiple business functions—everything from product development to finance, marketing to human resources.
“The learning curve is steep, but that’s where the growth comes in,” David explains. “Your career can accelerate much faster in a startup because you’re exposed to so many facets of the business. You’ll walk away with a much more diverse skill set than you would in a more specialised corporate role.”
This rapid learning environment is perfect for those who love variety and are eager to develop a broad skill set.
However, if your preference is to hone and refine expertise in one specific area, then a corporate setting—where roles are more defined and structured—might better align with your career goals.
4. Do work you believe in
Startups are fueled by passion. Without a deep belief in the mission, the day-to-day challenges can feel overwhelming.
David emphasises that the highs in a startup are incredibly high—launching a product, securing funding, signing a big customer—but the lows can be just as intense.
“If you’re not genuinely passionate about what the company is trying to achieve, those low points will drain you,” David says. “You need that belief to carry you through the rough patches.”
This isn’t to say that corporate work is devoid of passion or purpose. But in larger organisations, the mission can sometimes feel more abstract or distant from your daily responsibilities.
In a startup, you’re often directly tied to the company’s success or failure, and that can make the work feel deeply personal.
5. Be ready to switch
A key takeaway from David's experience is the importance of adaptability.
Startups are constantly evolving, and you have to evolve with them. What worked last month might not work today, and the priorities of the company can shift rapidly as new challenges emerge.
For startups, there’s little room for rigidity or being stuck in your ways. You have to be flexible enough to pivot quickly—whether that’s changing the product’s direction based on market feedback or rethinking your entire approach to customer acquisition.
If you thrive in a ever-changing environment, startups will feel like home. But if you prefer consistency and a steady pace, corporate life may offer a better fit.
Final thoughts
David’s experience provides a candid view into the reality of startup life. It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. But if it is for you, we encourage you to join us at Stone & Chalk.
