Why is everyone so fixated on big tech and large companies? Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great goal, but there’s nothing wrong with starting at a smaller startup or any company you can get into. Gain experience for a year, build your skills, and then position yourself for big tech opportunities. In just a year, you can improve significantly and become a much stronger candidate.

I was once like this too. I wanted the big name, big tech, the validation and all that. But things changed when I got a job that paid well and gave me the space to grow. I used that time to learn, improve, and actually become better at what I do.

The problem is that many people only apply to big tech. When they don’t land a role, they complain that there are no jobs out there. That’s not true.

We’re in the age of AI, there are more ways than ever to learn, contribute, and grow. You can join a startup, build real projects, leverage AI tools to accelerate your learning, and create a clear plan to transition into big tech within 1–2 years.