Stay in school. You're in 3.5 years already, just finish it out. If they really like you, they'll understand and the offer will remain open for when you finish.
Internship in SF led to a fulltime job offer – should I drop out and take it?
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Re: Internship in SF led to a fulltime job offer – should I drop out and take it?
#12Congratulations on the offer. Obviously they want you.
On one hand, there's a lot to recommend putting off the start of your career. On the other, if you're already awesome as a rising junior, you'll probably not be any less awesome as a graduate and have opportunities at that point. For me, the kicker is that you cannot get into the program you want at your university, and studying something that you don't love borders on tragedy [in the large, not on a class by class basis].
However, unless the employer is paying for the immigration attorney, I'd be skeptical of the prospects just based on my lay person's reading of the TN Visa requirements [1] and the description of the plan of attack as a loophole and the next step as an H1 visa.
Good luck.
Re: Internship in SF led to a fulltime job offer – should I drop out and take it?
#13Be careful ... I would be surprised if you can get an H1B or GC with no college degree.
Re: Internship in SF led to a fulltime job offer – should I drop out and take it?
#14Tell them you will work for them from Canada while you finish your degree.
Re: Internship in SF led to a fulltime job offer – should I drop out and take it?
#15If you're banking being able to get back into UW in a few years if you change your mind, you should also talk to someone at the school about that. As well, banking on a loophole to get a work visa (the TN restrictions are pretty specific about needing a degree in the field) seems like a pretty risky idea.
I have a strong feeling I know what company you're talking about as well (and no, I don't believe it's Github as someone else here does), I have to say that even if the company is full of brilliant people, you should also consider the relative risks in the field that they operate in. Bitcoin can be a risky business, even for the golden child.
My overall recommendation would be to stick with your degree. In a year and a half you wont have to worry about whether or not you can return to an undergrad if you wish, nor worry that a visa loophole will come back to bite you in the ass. If something happens and you need to find a new job, you wont have to worry about having to find one that will be willing to risk dealing with visa loopholes. Not to mention that you sound like you still have 2 coop terms left. Even here you could very likely return to this specific company for those terms if you wish, or (my recommendation) take advantage of the terms to explore different options.
Re: Internship in SF led to a fulltime job offer – should I drop out and take it?
#161. I think you are being underpaid if you are going to live in SF and get paid 105K for a company that is both well funded, and very well known. Unless your equity is very very significant. 2. Companies don't disappear in two years; if they do, you don't want to join that company. There is no hurry for you to join the company now. In fact, you could intern every year and continue to build relationships in the valley…
1. I thought it was a decent entry-level salary. I don't have significant equity, but it's more than I thought.
2. If I continue to intern here (which is certainly an option - I have 2 more co-op terms left) I would be getting about $20k salary less, plus no equity
3. Thank you.
4. Meeting with the immigration lawyer is scheduled for tomorrow
Re: Internship in SF led to a fulltime job offer – should I drop out and take it?
#17You'll never be in college at college age again. Meanwhile, you'll have your whole life to work in the Valley. Unless this job is really something amazing, stay in school. Of course if you find yourself violently recoiling at that argument, that'll tell you something too.
That's definitely a valid reason - I'm having a blast in school, so I guess I'm just naively eager to begin working (since this past co-op term in SF has been one of the greatest times of my life). I guess SF won't be going anywhere, and it'll be just as good in the future.
Re: Internship in SF led to a fulltime job offer – should I drop out and take it?
#18If you are certain that you can go back to uni anytime and finish your degree then I don't really see why you shouldn't go for the job. Degrees matter if you don't have a lot of experience (something like less than 5 years) in the industry you are trying to work for. degrees might look like they don't matter much at the moment (because software engineers are in high demand) - but that can change quickly.
I have about 1.5 years of experience currently. I don't think I'd be expecting to stay at this company for >3.5 years, though, so maybe a degree would be more important than I anticipate.
Re: Internship in SF led to a fulltime job offer – should I drop out and take it?
#19Tell them you will work for them from Canada while you finish your degree.
I asked that, and they didn't seem very eager for remote work. Additionally, I'd be getting no equity if I did this.
Re: Internship in SF led to a fulltime job offer – should I drop out and take it?
#20If you're banking being able to get back into UW in a few years if you change your mind, you should also talk to someone at the school about that. As well, banking on a loophole to get a work visa (the TN restrictions are pretty specific about needing a degree in the field) seems like a pretty risky idea. I have a strong feeling I know what company you're talking about as well (and no, I don't believe it's Github as…
I'm scheduling a call with my academic advisor sometime this week. I'm in good standing at school, and I take part in a bunch of extracurriculars, so even if I have to re-apply I don't think it would be difficult to get accepted again.
Agreed about the visa though - I have a call scheduled with an immigration lawyer tomorrow, so I'll determine how difficult it is (if it's even possible) to get an H1 or GC.
Thank you for your other points - seriously, much appreciated.