Do you prefer working for a large or small company?
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Would you generally prefer to work in a large company with a large IT department, or a small company where there are only a handful of developers? Each has advantages I think, but I'll provide a few anecdotal tales here for reference. Several years ago, I worked in a software house with about 50 other software engineers. There were multiple teams of people working on multiple projects. If you needed help with something, there was always someone who could help. After a while, each person fell into a niche area of expertise (mine was the tree control for some reason!). Keep in mind that at this time, there was only one computer connected to the Internet via dial-up, and the quarterly MSDN updates were a source of great excitement. So, having such a large and varied group of software developers was a huge bonus, as there was always someone to share ideas with. Conversely, at my current position I am one of only three developers and I am solely responsible for the new in-house application to replace their legacy system. The other 2 guys are the team leader and the website developer. We are a very close team and get along really well. The small company atmosphere (as well as the nature of our business) means that everyone is pretty relaxed. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this post - I'm really just curious if people prefer a large or small company. Personally, I'd take a small company any day of the week.
Sunrise Wallpaper Project | The StartPage Randomizer | The Windows Cheerleader
I work in a large company, fortune 50, but a medium sized shop, about 20 developers. Most of them don't know what a new CIS graduate would know. There is no one I can ask when I need help. One of our senior devs (15 years) tells me he doesn't believe in Patterns. Our current technical leaders think that Agile means you don't create any design artifacts ( that's because they can't design their way out of a wet paper bag ) while each developer writes spaghetti code in isolation and there are no code reviews. This all results in code that looks like it was written by an epileptic ferret. Our manager brings doughnuts every Wednesday and we have a half dozen Pizza (delivered) parties during the year.... these are a source of great excitement. I don't want to relocate so opportunities are limited and I am paid a ridiculous amount for the work I don't do.
Miszou wrote:
Personally, I'd take a small company any day of the week.
Personally, I'm looking forward to retirement.
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Would you generally prefer to work in a large company with a large IT department, or a small company where there are only a handful of developers? Each has advantages I think, but I'll provide a few anecdotal tales here for reference. Several years ago, I worked in a software house with about 50 other software engineers. There were multiple teams of people working on multiple projects. If you needed help with something, there was always someone who could help. After a while, each person fell into a niche area of expertise (mine was the tree control for some reason!). Keep in mind that at this time, there was only one computer connected to the Internet via dial-up, and the quarterly MSDN updates were a source of great excitement. So, having such a large and varied group of software developers was a huge bonus, as there was always someone to share ideas with. Conversely, at my current position I am one of only three developers and I am solely responsible for the new in-house application to replace their legacy system. The other 2 guys are the team leader and the website developer. We are a very close team and get along really well. The small company atmosphere (as well as the nature of our business) means that everyone is pretty relaxed. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this post - I'm really just curious if people prefer a large or small company. Personally, I'd take a small company any day of the week.
Sunrise Wallpaper Project | The StartPage Randomizer | The Windows Cheerleader
I prefer a small company as well. At least I think I do, having never worked in a large IT department environment. Currently, I am one of four developers; I work alone for the most part. Before this job I was the only developer in that company. Before that I worked for a consulting firm, went to various clients as a contract employee, in most cases alone or a small team. My perception is that with a larger company, you get more office politics, more meetings that waste time, and similar things I'd rather avoid. Regards, BDF
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I knew one of you self-employed types was gonna give a smart answer! Now, be off with you. This thread is only for slaves to the Man. We don't want your "freedom" here! :P
Sunrise Wallpaper Project | The StartPage Randomizer | The Windows Cheerleader
Miszou wrote:
This thread is only for slaves to the Man. We don't want your "freedom" here!
*plays flute* follow me... follow me....
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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Would you generally prefer to work in a large company with a large IT department, or a small company where there are only a handful of developers? Each has advantages I think, but I'll provide a few anecdotal tales here for reference. Several years ago, I worked in a software house with about 50 other software engineers. There were multiple teams of people working on multiple projects. If you needed help with something, there was always someone who could help. After a while, each person fell into a niche area of expertise (mine was the tree control for some reason!). Keep in mind that at this time, there was only one computer connected to the Internet via dial-up, and the quarterly MSDN updates were a source of great excitement. So, having such a large and varied group of software developers was a huge bonus, as there was always someone to share ideas with. Conversely, at my current position I am one of only three developers and I am solely responsible for the new in-house application to replace their legacy system. The other 2 guys are the team leader and the website developer. We are a very close team and get along really well. The small company atmosphere (as well as the nature of our business) means that everyone is pretty relaxed. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this post - I'm really just curious if people prefer a large or small company. Personally, I'd take a small company any day of the week.
Sunrise Wallpaper Project | The StartPage Randomizer | The Windows Cheerleader
Size does not matter; the way you, huh, use it is important.
Maximilien Lincourt Your Head A Splode - Strong Bad
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Would you generally prefer to work in a large company with a large IT department, or a small company where there are only a handful of developers? Each has advantages I think, but I'll provide a few anecdotal tales here for reference. Several years ago, I worked in a software house with about 50 other software engineers. There were multiple teams of people working on multiple projects. If you needed help with something, there was always someone who could help. After a while, each person fell into a niche area of expertise (mine was the tree control for some reason!). Keep in mind that at this time, there was only one computer connected to the Internet via dial-up, and the quarterly MSDN updates were a source of great excitement. So, having such a large and varied group of software developers was a huge bonus, as there was always someone to share ideas with. Conversely, at my current position I am one of only three developers and I am solely responsible for the new in-house application to replace their legacy system. The other 2 guys are the team leader and the website developer. We are a very close team and get along really well. The small company atmosphere (as well as the nature of our business) means that everyone is pretty relaxed. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this post - I'm really just curious if people prefer a large or small company. Personally, I'd take a small company any day of the week.
Sunrise Wallpaper Project | The StartPage Randomizer | The Windows Cheerleader
You're assuming that the size of the company is directly related to ones satisfaction at work and that isn't usually the case. It varies from company to company and from team to team. Break it down and ask yourself what is a satisfying and rewarding job experience. Generally the answers will not include a head count.
Todd Smith
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Miszou wrote:
This thread is only for slaves to the Man. We don't want your "freedom" here!
*plays flute* follow me... follow me....
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
El Corazon wrote:
*plays flute* follow me... follow me....
Man, you're creepy! :laugh: Is that[^] you?!
:josh: My WPF Blog[^] Without a strive for perfection I would be terribly bored.
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El Corazon wrote:
*plays flute* follow me... follow me....
Man, you're creepy! :laugh: Is that[^] you?!
:josh: My WPF Blog[^] Without a strive for perfection I would be terribly bored.
Josh Smith wrote:
Man, you're creepy! Is that[^] you?!
worse, I am larger still! http://www.zianet.com/jjustinb/aboutme.html[^] hopefully I won't look like that for at least another 20 years. ;P Not positive who that is, but I don't know all the native american flute players.
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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Would you generally prefer to work in a large company with a large IT department, or a small company where there are only a handful of developers? Each has advantages I think, but I'll provide a few anecdotal tales here for reference. Several years ago, I worked in a software house with about 50 other software engineers. There were multiple teams of people working on multiple projects. If you needed help with something, there was always someone who could help. After a while, each person fell into a niche area of expertise (mine was the tree control for some reason!). Keep in mind that at this time, there was only one computer connected to the Internet via dial-up, and the quarterly MSDN updates were a source of great excitement. So, having such a large and varied group of software developers was a huge bonus, as there was always someone to share ideas with. Conversely, at my current position I am one of only three developers and I am solely responsible for the new in-house application to replace their legacy system. The other 2 guys are the team leader and the website developer. We are a very close team and get along really well. The small company atmosphere (as well as the nature of our business) means that everyone is pretty relaxed. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this post - I'm really just curious if people prefer a large or small company. Personally, I'd take a small company any day of the week.
Sunrise Wallpaper Project | The StartPage Randomizer | The Windows Cheerleader
I prefer working in a municipal government for the stability. The 2 small companies I worked in, the 1st went bankrupt, the 2nd was a sweatshop (ie 2hrs to change a form!).
"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..." "There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."
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Only worked at one place so I can't comment relatively speaking but I like where I am now. We've made the top 100 companies in the state by employee satisfaction the last 7 years running so we're definately doing something right. :) ~1400 company wide, ~900-1000 at this location, ~250-300 at this building, ~20 on my program, I'm the only person writing code for my application.
-- If you view money as inherently evil, I view it as my duty to assist in making you more virtuous.
dan neely wrote:
~20 on my program, I'm the only person writing code for my application.
What do the other 19 odd people do then ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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dan neely wrote:
~20 on my program, I'm the only person writing code for my application.
What do the other 19 odd people do then ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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Josh Smith wrote:
Man, you're creepy! Is that[^] you?!
worse, I am larger still! http://www.zianet.com/jjustinb/aboutme.html[^] hopefully I won't look like that for at least another 20 years. ;P Not positive who that is, but I don't know all the native american flute players.
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
El Corazon wrote:
Not positive who that is, but I don't know all the native american flute players.
I think you mean flautists, right? ;P
:josh: My WPF Blog[^] Without a strive for perfection I would be terribly bored.
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El Corazon wrote:
Not positive who that is, but I don't know all the native american flute players.
I think you mean flautists, right? ;P
:josh: My WPF Blog[^] Without a strive for perfection I would be terribly bored.
Josh Smith wrote:
I think you mean flautists, right?
I realize this is cliche' but everytime I see that word I read it as 'flatulist'. Which has a much different meaning. Although they do both involve the passage of air through an aperture which vibrates as a result :)
The early bird who catches the worm works for someone who comes in late and owns the worm farm. -- Travis McGee
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Josh Smith wrote:
I think you mean flautists, right?
I realize this is cliche' but everytime I see that word I read it as 'flatulist'. Which has a much different meaning. Although they do both involve the passage of air through an aperture which vibrates as a result :)
The early bird who catches the worm works for someone who comes in late and owns the worm farm. -- Travis McGee
Patrick Sears wrote:
I realize this is cliche' but everytime I see that word I read it as 'flatulist'. Which has a much different meaning. Although they do both involve the passage of air through an aperture which vibrates as a result
Did I ever tell you about the time when I was at band camp...?
:josh: My WPF Blog[^] Without a strive for perfection I would be terribly bored.
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Josh Smith wrote:
I think you mean flautists, right?
I realize this is cliche' but everytime I see that word I read it as 'flatulist'. Which has a much different meaning. Although they do both involve the passage of air through an aperture which vibrates as a result :)
The early bird who catches the worm works for someone who comes in late and owns the worm farm. -- Travis McGee
Good one! (It could also be 'flutist' but that wouldn't have the same comedic possibilities.) BDF
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I prefer a small company as well. At least I think I do, having never worked in a large IT department environment. Currently, I am one of four developers; I work alone for the most part. Before this job I was the only developer in that company. Before that I worked for a consulting firm, went to various clients as a contract employee, in most cases alone or a small team. My perception is that with a larger company, you get more office politics, more meetings that waste time, and similar things I'd rather avoid. Regards, BDF
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Never wondered why large company like wasting so much money and time on meeting and stretching project to eternity.
It takes Chuck Norris 20 minutes to watch 60 Minutes.
norm .net wrote:
It takes Chuck Norris 20 minutes to watch 60 Minutes.
15 of those minutes are spent killing people.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^] Without a strive for perfection I would be terribly bored.
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Patrick Sears wrote:
I realize this is cliche' but everytime I see that word I read it as 'flatulist'. Which has a much different meaning. Although they do both involve the passage of air through an aperture which vibrates as a result
Did I ever tell you about the time when I was at band camp...?
:josh: My WPF Blog[^] Without a strive for perfection I would be terribly bored.
Josh Smith wrote:
Did I ever tell you about the time when I was at band camp...?
"This one time, at band camp...!!!" Did you know they made an American Pie: Band Camp movie? The unedited version is rather... risque.
The early bird who catches the worm works for someone who comes in late and owns the worm farm. -- Travis McGee
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I work in a large company, fortune 50, but a medium sized shop, about 20 developers. Most of them don't know what a new CIS graduate would know. There is no one I can ask when I need help. One of our senior devs (15 years) tells me he doesn't believe in Patterns. Our current technical leaders think that Agile means you don't create any design artifacts ( that's because they can't design their way out of a wet paper bag ) while each developer writes spaghetti code in isolation and there are no code reviews. This all results in code that looks like it was written by an epileptic ferret. Our manager brings doughnuts every Wednesday and we have a half dozen Pizza (delivered) parties during the year.... these are a source of great excitement. I don't want to relocate so opportunities are limited and I am paid a ridiculous amount for the work I don't do.
Miszou wrote:
Personally, I'd take a small company any day of the week.
Personally, I'm looking forward to retirement.
Dear Lord...that sounds terrible, Mike.
led mike wrote:
I don't want to relocate so opportunities are limited and I am paid a ridiculous amount for the work I don't do.
Yes, but something must be said for one's own personal happiness and satisfaction. Personally, I cannot put a price on working at a job I enjoy doing. It positively affects my day-to-day happiness and mood.
Tech, life, family, faith: Give me a visit. I'm currently blogging about: Feast of Tabernacles (audio) The apostle Paul, modernly speaking: Epistles of Paul Judah Himango
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Josh Smith wrote:
Did I ever tell you about the time when I was at band camp...?
"This one time, at band camp...!!!" Did you know they made an American Pie: Band Camp movie? The unedited version is rather... risque.
The early bird who catches the worm works for someone who comes in late and owns the worm farm. -- Travis McGee
Patrick Sears wrote:
Did you know they made an American Pie: Band Camp movie? The unedited version is rather... risque.
They played a lot of atonal marching music?
:josh: My WPF Blog[^] Without a strive for perfection I would be terribly bored.
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Dear Lord...that sounds terrible, Mike.
led mike wrote:
I don't want to relocate so opportunities are limited and I am paid a ridiculous amount for the work I don't do.
Yes, but something must be said for one's own personal happiness and satisfaction. Personally, I cannot put a price on working at a job I enjoy doing. It positively affects my day-to-day happiness and mood.
Tech, life, family, faith: Give me a visit. I'm currently blogging about: Feast of Tabernacles (audio) The apostle Paul, modernly speaking: Epistles of Paul Judah Himango
Judah Himango wrote:
Dear Lord...that sounds terrible, Mike.
Not really... it's worse than that. ;P Most of them don't know about the stack and the heap let alone what the difference is. Then of course there are all the other aspects of computer architecture that are complete mysteries to them as well. And they are all perfectly happy with that situation.
Judah Himango wrote:
but something must be said for one's own personal happiness and satisfaction.
I agree. I previously worked for small companies with very capable people. It was fun and interesting but I didn't make a lot of money and they all went out of business. Currently I am settling for deriving my happiness from my personal life which doesn't suck because I have enough money and am a hot chick magnet. :laugh:
