# What Would You Pick? Ads/Public Company vs. Growth/Pre-IPO: A $150K Difference in Compensation
In today's competitive job market, it's not uncommon to find oneself in the enviable position of having multiple job offers. As an Engineering Manager, I find myself in this fortunate situation, weighing two appealing options that present distinct paths forward.
## The Offers on the Table
### Offer #1: The Established Public Company
The first offer comes from a well-known "co-pilot" company where I would be leading an Ads engineering team comprised of 10–12 engineers. This team is well-established, equipped with a clear roadmap, and has been successfully executing its strategies for quite some time.
**Advantages:**
- **Higher Compensation:** This role offers an impressive $150K more than the second option.
- **Scale:** The sheer scale of the company promises exposure to high-impact projects that can shape the future of technology and advertising.
- **Brand Recognition:** The prestige of working for an established company adds credibility to my resume, which can be significant in society's eyes.
### Offer #2: The Pre-IPO Growth Company
The second offer is from a pre-IPO company that is still building its brand recognition. In this role, I would be tasked with establishing a growth team for the first time. The company is currently facing challenges, with sub-10% month-over-month growth stalling its IPO prospects. My contributions could play a pivotal role in turning that around.
**Considerations:**
- **Lower Compensation:** This role comes with a $150K lower annual salary, despite being the best offer from this company.
- **Ambiguity and Challenge:** The chance to navigate a less structured environment excites me. While it may be less stable, the potential for significant impact and leadership in shaping the company's future is appealing.
- **Learning Experience:** I see this role as an opportunity to delve into growth engineering, a domain I'm eager to explore as I consider future entrepreneurial endeavors.
## Friends and Family Opinions
Unsurprisingly, most of my friends encourage me to take the higher-paying job. The allure of financial stability in a tumultuous economy is understandable, especially considering my past five years of chasing the high of founding a startup. Since my last position as an engineering manager in 2018, I have been involved in various startups, often facing the harsh realities of failure and earning nothing since December 2018.
My husband and I, however, are leaning towards the growth role, valuing the adventure and the potential for personal and professional growth over immediate financial gain.
## The Dilemma: Adventure vs. Stability
As I ponder my decision, I can't help but reflect on the broader implications of choosing a path that prioritizes adventure over stability. Am I making a big mistake?
### Perspectives from the Community
1. **Plan for the Future:** One perspective suggests that if I envision starting another company down the line, it might be wise to take the higher-paying job and save aggressively in order to build a substantial financial cushion. This strategy could provide the runway needed for future entrepreneurial ventures.
2. **Unique Opportunities in Startups:** Another viewpoint emphasizes the unique opportunities that come with being part of a successful startup. These include the chance to build company culture, create an engineering environment from scratch, and make a significant impact on the business. While higher compensation often means increased responsibility, it can also lead to stagnation in one’s career if one is not careful.
3. **Learning from Established Companies:** Some argue that spending time in a well-established company can yield invaluable lessons and experiences that are hard to replicate in a startup environment. This could be beneficial in the long run, especially if I aim to run my own company in the future.
## Conclusion: What Would You Choose?
Ultimately, the choice between a high-paying, stable role at a public company and a potentially transformative yet financially risky position at a growth-stage startup boils down to personal goals and career aspirations. Each path carries its own set of risks and rewards.
As I weigh my options, I am reminded that every career journey is unique. What may be right for one person might not be for another.
How would you choose among these offers? Do you believe I am making a mistake by prioritizing adventure over stability? I would love to hear your thoughts!