Picked a small firm over a big corporate job in Atlanta and it changed my approach

I had to choose between a $65k job at a big insurance company in Atlanta and a $52k role at a small design firm. I went with the small firm because I wanted more hands-on work and quicker promotions. After 6 months, I've learned more than I would have in two years at the big place. Has anyone else taken a pay cut for experience and regretted or loved it?

3 comments

3 Comments

uma_martinez25d ago

Why would anyone turn down more money for less?

brian32825d ago

Learned more than I would have in two years at the big place" - what kind of specific skills did you pick up that surprised you the most?

karen_roberts423d ago

Currency manipulation tactics on Upwork I'd never have dealt with before. Small clients acting like they're doing you a favor by paying below minimum wage. @uma_martinez might think bigger pay is always better but those jobs come with different headaches. Hardest skill was setting boundaries with people who want constant revisions without paying. Also had to get good at spotting fake tests during "paid trials" that turned out to be free work grabs. None of this is earth-shattering stuff, just survival stuff you don't learn from a corporate handbook.