this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2026
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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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[–] fartsparkles@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Most startups die and in their race to get to market, typically accrue heavy technical debt.

Unless you’re at a startup founded by industry or academic veterans, you likely won’t learn much more than how work long hours to ship a minimum viable product that looks good on the outside but is incredibly poorly built, cost ineffective, resource inefficient, and lacks decent security.

If a startup is full of veterans, it can be a magical, close knit environment to learn by osmosis and make incredible connections.

But I don’t get that vibe from this company based on what you’ve said.

[–] abbadon420@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I'm currently working for a company that has been slowing dying for the past two years annd it sucks. I am fearful that this could happen here as well, but I don't get those vibes now. They are selling products and they have actial clients. Even as I was interviewing there, people were working int he warehouse to get products shipped.

I think there are some industry veterans in this business. One of them learned to code, to get the website and the infrastructure going and is now doing it with AI.

I think you make good points,but I also think that this business is actually concerned about those points. So all in all I think it might be a good place to work than.

[–] fartsparkles@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

You’ll have a better idea than any of us here and sometimes you just have to trust your instincts.

There’s also the added benefit of being able to say you’ve worked in both standard corporate as well as startup environments which is good experience to have regardless if the business is a success or not.

I hope it works out awesomely for you!