First Job out of college: Small or Large Company?

[Chris Phillips]

Hey just wondering what everyone thinks is a better opportunity to gain experience with a first job out of college.

In my opinion, I think a smaller company is the better route to go because it allows a recent college graduate the ability to take on more responsibility. In my experience I have found that at small companies, employees "wear several hats" and have lots of extra tasks and responsibilities they normally wouldn't have at a large organization.

After the first year or two of working at a small company, the recent graduate should have a lot more experience and have the ability to work at a large organization.

What do you think?

[Seth]

I interned for a small company while I was a senior in college and because of the size of the company I had great exposure to the senior management in the company. After completing my internship and graduating from college the owner of the company I interned for offered me a full-time position. I believe this opportunity came from my direct contact with the owner and other senior level members and the trust they had in me from my experience working with them as an undergrad. I will always believe starting in a smaller company will increase your learning potential as a new person to the working force and recommend a job in a small company over a "corporate" job any day. Why mix yourself into the small cubicle world when you can stand out and have your own office in a small company with advancement potential.