Start-Ups vs Established Orgs
Currently waiting for a train and my friend said I couldn’t bring my mechanical keyboard and iPad to the link because she’d dash in the Thames so here we are.
When it comes to “putting your foot through” the door early in your UX career; it can seem incredibly daunting to get your first role and for many imposter syndrome is a very real factor that needs to be taken into account. I’m going to be completely transparent and preface the rest of this by saying I personally have *rarely* suffered from this in my UX career thus far. This is probably because I’m ✨delusional✨ or because I first started digital design when I was 15 and now I’m 21. You pick.
Anyway; here is a brief overview of the pros and cons that come with working at a start-up.
Start-Ups: Pros and Cons
- Complete ownership of your work
Oftentimes, when you’re working as a start-up as a UX Designer you are the sole UXer at your company. This is good because you can have full control of your work and have a lot less potential pushback on your design decisions.
The downside of this is being unable to gain helpful feedback from a senior designer that can help you in growing; stakeholders such as founders and CTOs can help but they don’t have a designer’s eyes; so ultimately their feedback won’t provide you the direction you need to hone your design skills.
2. Increased responsibility
Increased responsibility is another double-edged sword in the start-up world; being given an increased amount of responsibility can be a plus in the sense that once you leave your role you can put a wide range of responsibilities and achievements down on your CV.
The downside of this is the fact that a lot of the time at a start-up you’ll be required to wear multiple hats; for example, at one start-up my title was UX Designer but I ended up completing brand design, graphic design and copywriting in my day-to-day. As someone with an understanding of all of these disciplines, it was manageable for me. However, if you don’t understand these disciplines you may struggle.
3. Lack of established process
The way I define lack of established process is simple; running on vibes with little to no direction. This can happen in more established organisations; however, it’s significantly more common in start-ups. There are relatively few pros to this; I’d even argue there are none.
Aside from adrenaline rush to meet an almost impossible deadline; if that’s your kind of thing I guess.
Established Organisations: Pros and Cons
- Established Processes
The one main thing that has stood out to me since beginning my current role has been the emphasis on process and also the importance of adhering to and refining process.
Due to the fact that I’m working alongside multiple project managers and developers on a large digital product; I have to receive sign-off from multiple stakeholders prior to anything I create going live or even going into build. This can be a pro and con; most of the time I don’t have to reach super tight deadlines but this can happen on occasion and oftentimes unexpectedly.
2. Actionable Feedback
Since beginning my current role, despite being a mid-weight designer, I’ve received invaluable help, feedback and guidance both from the Senior UX Designer as well as my other colleagues at my workplace. This feedback hasn’t solely been design feedback, although this is helpful, and has covered soft skills such as presenting.
Feedback culture within start-ups is far more limited; especially if you’re a sole designer, due the points I’ve mentioned previously.
3. Tangible Proof of Success
A lot of the time, in start-ups especially, KPIs can be somewhat, if not largely, vague.
Whereas within established organisations, KPIs are clearly laid out, easily quantified and good to put on your CV.
4. The Name
Work at a FAANG company and chop life forever. I think?
Having a big name on your CV looks great and opens doors.
Sorry for taking so long to publish this, life has been flogging me.
Till next time,
Zai 💋
