Google APM vs SWE for Startups
Hey everyone,
I'm an intern at Google deciding between starting as a SWE vs in the APM program after college. I'm interested in tech entrepreneurship, specifically creating or joining a startup 2-6 years after graduating, and I wanted to hear others' opinions on what route to take. I have a CS background (multiple SWE internships) and some finance/VC (investment banking internship + small VC internship). Here's a list of pros for each side:
SWE:
- Better salary out of college (not personally important, but to have capital for a startup)
- Important skillset for a tech startup to bootstrap initially
- Harder to learn on the job (not sure about this one, but it may be easier to figure out product stuff when I have to vs. learning the coding to build the startup initially)
- Possible to just find a business-minded cofounder
- Far better WLB afaik, meaning that I can learn pertinent skills for a startup (whether that be a new tech stack, product stuff, etc.) in my free time
- Most of the PMs I've spoken to at Google and other big tech have recommended this track
- Potential to transfer at L4/5 to PM (giving me some industry SWE experience + PM)
APM:
- Better knowledge of industry and product development -> potentially easier to come up with an idea and definitiely better understanding of how to grow a startup
- Learning sales/communication skills
- More exclusive and 'elite' -> better VC recognition/easier to get funded?
- Can outsource/delegate engineering once the company is big enough
- I already have a strong SWE background in college, so I may already be strong enough at coding for startup purposes
- Strong, small cohort could be useful
Thank you!
why are you asking this in a finance forum?
I asked on blind too but I wanted to hear the opinion of people in the VC/startup space
Got it. I dont know too much but people say PM is better? I dont really know tho tbh
The answer truly depends on 1.) The type of startup that you want to build 2.) the complementary team that you build around you.
What does the technical ramp up look like for the desired product? How much control do you want over the process of building vs. how much are you comfortable delegating to co-founders? What gaps do you need to fill in your knowledge base (technical and otherwise) before taking the leap into startups?
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and learning how to fill those gaps with great complementary talent is more difficult than people think and one of the more important aspects of early-stage company building IMO. If your strength is already in development, I'd recommend leaning into that and letting others you may recruit lean into their own relevant expertise.
Personally, I'd go the SWE route but you can't really go wrong with either. Developing related PM skills will get built over a period of time as you get reps and begin building a product with others, but I think having the solid SWE could expedite the production process. Getting a product built and gaining traction quickly out of the gate is an important signal for VCs: they don't want to see that it took you 2 yrs to 'figure out the product'. Execution is paramount and I think a SWE skillset could set you up better for that.
Also understanding the type of entrepreneur you want to be is important. Do you want to bootstrap something to $10k MRR and explore other parts of life, or are you committed to trying to build something huge and generational? If bootstrapping, PM might be the way as you can be well-rounded enough to run your own show without having a ton of annoying external stakeholders (VCs) breathing down your neck all the time. Otherwise, I think SWE is probably the better way to go.
As far as the signaling aspect of APM vs. SWE... no VC is going to split hairs over the difference. I doubt the reason that somebody would pass on your company would be "They don't have enough technical experience they were only an APM at Google" or "The don't have any PM experience, they were only a SWE at Google." At the end of the day, you're signaling strong credibility and technical proficiency from either role--which is the point of going to work for Google isn't it?
Good luck!
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