Large company to smaller company

[Sycamore]

I'm 21 and currently work as a Mechanical Design Engineer for a rather large company. I started here as an apprentice at 16 and got my qualifications in my spare time up to a Mechanical Engineering Degree.

I fear getting myself stuck in a rut at a young age, and I feel with this company in particular there's so much red tape/mismanagement, the situation will only get worse.

There seems to be a fair few vacancies for similar roles within local companies who I reckon I'm suited for, although the majority of them seem to be much smaller companies (~50 employees from 1 location as opposed to the 400 each on 11 sites).

Is there anything I should be keeping an eye out for in regards to going for smaller places? Or am I best off sticking to larger organisations.

I'm aware the grass isn't always greener so I don't want to take the plunge unnecessarily.

Thanks all.

[Vocal Minority]

So much really depends on your personality.

I went from a firm of 3000 to a firm of 10. Broadly I suits me much better as I wanted to be part of running a business as well as just doing the day to day work.

In a smaller firm it is much more important to maintain decent relationships with your colleagues is my first piece of advice, and the closer you get to the cashflow, the more you realise how vital all this stuff is. Whether that intimidates you or motivates you rather depends on your personality (the reality of cash for a large firm will be no different of course - its just more visible in a smaller one.

I like it. I am very happy I did. Much less politics and red tape. You just sometimes have to go the extra mile with people to make it work. Which is fine.

[rog007]

If you're very ambitious, you should be moving onwards and upwards about every 3 years anyway.

In terms of large or small organisations, there are some things to consider.

The positives of larger organisations:

- may offer better benefits packages
- may allow you to gain promotion without necessarily having to leave the organisation
- they often have a clearer structures

On the negative side:

- change can happen more slowly
- takes longer to get to know your fellow staff

In terms of smaller organisations:

- its easier to have your impact recognised
- they may be more agile when it comes to innovation
- you may have a greater number of responsibilities

On the negative side:

- your errors will be more visible
- the benefits package may be smaller
- structures may be less defined
- there may be no legal or HR departments for support (some may see this as an advantage, however!)

So choose whichever suits your own personality and work style and ambition.

Good luck!

[driver67]

What he said. ^^^^^^^.

Great post.

[0a]

OP said:

so much red tape/mismanagement, the situation will only get worse

I'd say that this is the issue, rather than just the big company, small company divide. Also you have worked there for a good period of time now, so there's nothing wrong with wanting a change.

I have worked for both. In a larger company you can get a bit lost, but often there's someone you can find to help you as they are doing a similar job or in a similar situation. In a smaller company it's impossible to hide - but you will be noticed if you do well. All generalisations though. I currently work for a medium sized company, and was about to leave a year ago when a new director came in and changed my area of the business completely.

My rule of thumb is - if you enjoy your job, and are progressing (salary, responsibility, learning) stay. If not, start looking around. Don't be afraid of starting to look, you may learn what you really want as part of the process.