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What is it like working for a startup? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by abbadon420@sh.itjust.works to c/cs_career_questions@programming.dev

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I just had an interview with a startup, where I would be working as a junior fullstack engineer. However, the most senior person in the company (of 4 devs) has three years experience in software, and comes from an electrical engineering background. They work a lot with AI, but they are looking to bring more structure in the code. I am supposed to work with AI also and I get to work on all three applications that they have. I said I don't vibecode, I can use AI,but I need to know what I'm doing. They said I don't have to vibecode, but sometimes they need fast delivery.

This would be my first real job. I've been working as a tutor for 4 years, so I've seen a lot of simple code and greenfield code, and I've written texts and taught classes. So I have some valuabke experience. I was looking for a job in an enterprise company where I can learn from seniors, but this might also be a valuable way to learn a lot of stuff. It seems kind of rigity, but also flexible.

I'm wondering if anyone can share their experience working in a startup. Is it only chaos and misery, or is it also a good environment to learn a lot very fast?

Edit: they went with the other applicant :(

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[–] etchinghillside@reddthat.com 10 points 1 week ago

For first job experience it’s great.

Yup, chaos. But no/less stupid red tape to get things done.

Misery is at any job and more about your coworkers and management.

A couple of negatives I’m gleaming from your comments:

Yes. The most senior having 3 years is a bit of a flag. But it kind of depends on what they got for a seed round.

RE: tutor/text/valuable experience. I might shelve that a bit. Speccing, building, delivering, supporting is a bit of a beast from what I might guess is an academic basis.

You actually seeking out a more enterprise company with Seniors might point to you preferring that kind of structured environment.

Ultimately it doesn’t matter - if you want to get into SWE take what you can get for experience. Enterprise is unlikely to touch you without some.