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1 Year, 11 Months at Google University

jmilinovich.com

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Re: 1 Year, 11 Months at Google University

#11

Post by agilord »

dlevine wrote: post #8
gojomo wrote: post #4

Against such effusive praise, I wonder why someone would leave after such a relatively short stint. (Maybe the next post?)

Agreed. Something seems off about this post. Having worked at Google and also having founded multiple startups, I understand the allure of startups. However, I have to say that in my experience, no one leaves a job that they are perfectly happy with in order to found a startup. The decision to found a startup comes from a deep dissatisfaction with the status quo. Either because there is a problem you are so passionat…

Satisfaction is not black-and-white. I think it is perfectly valid that someone is satisfied with the existing work environment (hey, there is just so much you can expect from an employer), yet, they want to create their own. It might be that they just want to show the world that they are capable of creating the same (or better) on their own.

John: have a good luck pursuing your dream!

Re: 1 Year, 11 Months at Google University

#12

Post by qasar »

What's fascinating for a company like Google in SV is no matter how good things are, you have to constantly fight to keep folks like John from trying their hand at early stage life. Overall I think it's great for the ecosystem. This type of non-traditional churn (where employers not only have to be the best of the "Big Co.s" but better than doing something completely on your) own pushes everyone to create environments that are not only innovative and rewarding but also fulfilling.

Being a founder and now at Google (John and I started almost the same time and I know him well), I think what's notable about this post is when people usually write "Why I left Google" they are sometimes backhanded compliments or thinly veiled complaints.

What John is saying "I had a great time and learned a lot but I still think starting a company is more interesting".

Re: 1 Year, 11 Months at Google University

#13

Post by unreal37 »

Less than 2 years is not enough time to really soak up the skills, experience, connections, and solving enough difficult problems for it to be maximum value.

I guess I now kinda get why he's doing it, but he's taking a huge risk with only 2 year of working experience total under his belt. Wish him the best!

Re: 1 Year, 11 Months at Google University

#15

Post by saraid216 »

ecspike wrote: post #14
gojomo wrote: post #4

Against such effusive praise, I wonder why someone would leave after such a relatively short stint. (Maybe the next post?)

2 years isn't such a short time in the Valley. At some places, those are the old-timers.

I know it's not what you mean, but that implies there's not much to learn in the Valley.

Re: 1 Year, 11 Months at Google University

#16

Post by qasar »

unreal37 wrote: post #13

Less than 2 years is not enough time to really soak up the skills, experience, connections, and solving enough difficult problems for it to be maximum value. I guess I now kinda get why he's doing it, but he's taking a huge risk with only 2 year of working experience total under his belt. Wish him the best!

I disagree. I think working at a large company for long periods of time can actually stifle your ability to be a great founder. You learn bad habits and your intuition can be deformed by things which help you become successful at Big Co but are useless in early stage companies.

Also, I'm at Google and I know John and his work really well. It's almost laughable to imply it was involuntary. John is an all star. The guy actually wants to do a startup because he find the challenge interesting.

Re: 1 Year, 11 Months at Google University

#17

Post by weareconvo »

qasar wrote: post #12

What's fascinating for a company like Google in SV is no matter how good things are, you have to constantly fight to keep folks like John from trying their hand at early stage life. Overall I think it's great for the ecosystem. This type of non-traditional churn (where employers not only have to be the best of the "Big Co.s" but better than doing something completely on your) own pushes everyone to create environment…

Also he got stuck on the Internal Tools team, which is basically the gulag as far as getting noticed by the higher-ups and promoted.

Re: 1 Year, 11 Months at Google University

#18

Post by jmilinovich »

weareconvo wrote: post #17
qasar wrote: post #12

What's fascinating for a company like Google in SV is no matter how good things are, you have to constantly fight to keep folks like John from trying their hand at early stage life. Overall I think it's great for the ecosystem. This type of non-traditional churn (where employers not only have to be the best of the "Big Co.s" but better than doing something completely on your) own pushes everyone to create environment…

Also he got stuck on the Internal Tools team, which is basically the gulag as far as getting noticed by the higher-ups and promoted.

not true- I was on the Google Analytics team and the Google Offers team before that.

Re: 1 Year, 11 Months at Google University

#19

Post by gojomo »

jmilinovich wrote: post #9
dlevine wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. Something seems off about this post. Having worked at Google and also having founded multiple startups, I understand the allure of startups. However, I have to say that in my experience, no one leaves a job that they are perfectly happy with in order to found a startup. The decision to found a startup comes from a deep dissatisfaction with the status quo. Either because there is a problem you are so passionat…

totally agree dlevine - in my case, life events happened that make me rethink my risk tolerance and ability to go for my dreams (read my prior post for more context)

Thanks for the pointer to extra context and good luck!

Re: 1 Year, 11 Months at Google University

#20

Post by ecspike »

saraid216 wrote: post #15
ecspike wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

2 years isn't such a short time in the Valley. At some places, those are the old-timers.

I know it's not what you mean, but that implies there's not much to learn in the Valley.

New opportunities come in the multitudes. The Valley is also very small. There is always a new company starting where the CTO is a former co-worker of your roommate's cousin or something like that and needs a guy/gal he can trust. Six degrees of Kevin Bacon, NorCal style.
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