In the professional world, there seems to be harsh divide between the entrepreneurial mindset and the corporate mindset. On one side, you have freedom, innovation, and flexibility; on the other, you have resources, structure, and reach. For many students preparing to graduate, it can be hard to know which direction is the best option to pursue.
Before making that decision, it's important to first have a clear understanding about the realities of both types of work. In a 2020 article, Andrei Cretu says, "In entrepreneurship, we usually get a sense of freedom, more flexibility but very often a lack of structure. On the corporate end, there is loads of know-how, resources, but the environment is frequently perceived as somehow rigid and not agile enough."
While he acknowledges the differences, he also encourages the reader to break down some of the mental barriers between the two professional climates. There are good things and bad things about each, and in many circumstances, the weakness of one is the strength of the other. He makes a compelling argument that professionals should strive to blend the two for a more well-rounded working environment. In practice, this is obviously easier said than done.
I recently spoke with a peer of mine who was faced with the decision of choosing between either pursuing a dream job in a corporate role full of potential or cultivating a self-owned business with unexpected rapid growth. It's really difficult to make the choice between two great options, and the last thing you want to do is end up feeling like you made the wrong decision. If you are evaluating potential career opportunities in either realm, you should ask yourself these three questions:
1: Does this opportunity offer the potential to fulfill my career goals?
2: Where do I see myself in ten years if I pursue this opportunity?
3: Will I regret missing out on this opportunity if I don't pursue it?
At the end of the day, there isn't necessarily one right answer. Cretu says, "For me, after putting enough years in working under both “systems”, the pros and cons of each are clearer. It was never about one being better than the other, but about what felt right for me at a particular time of my career."
As long as you land in a role that feels aligned with your goals, then you made the right choice.
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For further reading and opinions on the differences between entrepreneurship and the corporate world, check out this article from Entrepreneur.com and this article from Secret Entourage.
I'll be back next week with another installment in the interview series... see you then!
- JS
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate all the effort you put into this blog post, I think it brings up an important question. As a Senior majoring in advertising and public relations, I can definitely relate to having this dilemma. This past year has consisted of me figuring out what's next for me and how I will achieve that. While I still do not have it fully figured out, I do know that I do not want to be working a 9-5 job for the rest of my life. Not that there's anything wrong with it but like you mentioned, it just doesn't align with my goals. Right out of college, I would not mind working in the corporate world as long as I continue striving for something that permits more independence/creativity. Overall, great post and thank you for touching on a subject that is so relevant to many of us.
-Anai Salgado