Ask HN: Covid Burnout – Quit FAANG to found a startup? • Hacker News Board

Ask HN: Covid Burnout – Quit FAANG to found a startup?

#1

Post by throwaway8829 » Tue, Aug 18, 2020, 7:20 PM UTC

I've worked at FAANG for 4 years as product designer. I was getting a bit burned out, but COVID wfh took all the remaining fun out of my work. I feel like I can't spend another day on Zoom calls in my role.

Should I quit my FAANG job to try and start a startup? Part of me thinks that it'll be fun and motivating. The other part thinks the grass is just greener, especially since I have no idea what I want to start.

Feeling a bit lost. Anyone else in this position?

Re: Ask HN: Covid Burnout – Quit FAANG to found a startup?

#2

Post by icedchai » Tue, Aug 18, 2020, 7:54 PM UTC

Startups are hard, even in good times. Take a year off.

Re: Ask HN: Covid Burnout – Quit FAANG to found a startup?

#3

Post by tawjob » Tue, Aug 18, 2020, 9:34 PM UTC

Please do not quit your job as things may become much worst and you might regret, find a side hobby, read how people tackle wfh now a days through submits here. Take some time off but not to long to build a different point of view.

Re: Ask HN: Covid Burnout – Quit FAANG to found a startup?

#4

Post by natalyarostova » Tue, Aug 18, 2020, 9:42 PM UTC

It'll be fun and motivating for a month or two, then the real work will set in. Unless you are prepared for that, tread carefully.

Re: Ask HN: Covid Burnout – Quit FAANG to found a startup?

#5

Post by yellow_lead » Tue, Aug 18, 2020, 10:38 PM UTC

Quitting without a complete idea of what you'll do is typically a poor idea. Many recommend taking a stab on nights and weekends first at least. You could use some PTO to simulate it too.

Re: Ask HN: Covid Burnout – Quit FAANG to found a startup?

#6

Post by tawjob » Tue, Aug 18, 2020, 10:44 PM UTC

Are you working for Amzn?

Re: Ask HN: Covid Burnout – Quit FAANG to found a startup?

#7

Post by tawjob » Tue, Aug 18, 2020, 10:53 PM UTC

tawjob wrote: post #6

Are you working for Amzn?

Knowing company helps people to give more accurate advice especially if they know how things works over there for a specific role. Same problem in different enviroment requires different solution imo.

Re: Ask HN: Covid Burnout – Quit FAANG to found a startup?

#8

Post by cloudking » Tue, Aug 18, 2020, 11:07 PM UTC

Surprised most of the comments here are risk adverse, you won't know if you don't take the risk. If you do decide to quit, plan out how long you can survive off your savings and give yourself a chunk of that time to get a business running that sustains you. If you don't make it in that time, you can get back into the workforce or freelance with your experience.

Having an idea helps, but be wary of working on ideas on the side, you likely have signed an invention assignment agreement with your employer.

Re: Ask HN: Covid Burnout – Quit FAANG to found a startup?

#9

Post by muzani » Tue, Aug 18, 2020, 11:32 PM UTC

cloudking wrote: post #8

Surprised most of the comments here are risk adverse, you won't know if you don't take the risk. If you do decide to quit, plan out how long you can survive off your savings and give yourself a chunk of that time to get a business running that sustains you. If you don't make it in that time, you can get back into the workforce or freelance with your experience. Having an idea helps, but be wary of working on ideas on…

HN has one of the most risk averse communities, which is surprising for one started by a VC. Questions like this are going to get biased answers.

Re: Ask HN: Covid Burnout – Quit FAANG to found a startup?

#10

Post by muzani » Tue, Aug 18, 2020, 11:38 PM UTC

Starting a startup is sort of like having kids. It's a tremendous responsibility, not something you should do because of burnout.

You don't actually have creative freedom. Your freedom is limited to what makes money right away, or what pleases investors. If you meet an angel who wants blockchain, you better get to work on that chain.

Maybe freelancing is the way to go, or working at a startup.

But if you want to start a startup because it's on your bucket list, then go ahead. Make sure you have some runway. Recession is a great time to start companies, because a lot of really smart people will be looking for jobs, and you'll be contributing more to society by creating them.