Why I quit Microsoft and Google - the thoughts behind it

If you learn about my story, you probably know that I was hired as a software engineer at Microsoft after self-taught coding. I spent three beautiful years in Redmond Washington. I grew super fast as a new tech rookie.

 

During the daytime, I would focus on coding and learning new technologies. After work, I usually had a to-go dinner at Chipotle or my favorite Chinese/Indian restaurant. After arrival at home, I would start reading technical books again.

 

As my major is not CS, I need to ramp up fast and learn new things on the go. I spent Saturday sipping Brazilian latte at Redmond Town Center Cafe to continue sharpening my technical problem-solving skills and learning data structures and algorithms.

 

I appreciate Microsoft providing me with the job right after graduation. Today when I recalled how much training I received during that three years, I felt so grateful for having many mentors and I received during that three years, I felt so grateful having many mentors and managers who guide me through the new-grad-switch-to-job chaos. This is also part of why I'm writing today to help more techniques ramp up and succeed in their first couple of tech jobs. You can download the free ebook to learn more details here.

 

So why did I make the decision to quit Microsoft?

To sum up:

I always aim for the steepest learning and growth curve in both my life and career. I can sacrifice a short-term salary, bonus, or title to exchange for long-term growth. At Microsoft, I worked with mid-aged mature peers. I can see what my life would be like in ten years.

 

With the above belief, I started to search for my next stop for exploring. I ended up getting an offer from Google, where I only spent a few months there before I quit again.

 

Only after 3 months, I realize enterprise jobs are much alike. I left Microsoft with the belief that Google is different. However, the reality showed me that jobs are jobs, after the initial excitement fades away, your daytime is all spent in your jobs with limited freedom.

 

The benefits of being at Google - money, status, conventional success, fancy insurance, and free vacation time -weren't factors in a meaningful life. At Google, it is common to feel safe and content. But...

 

You work long hours and you are completely exhausted. Every day, it's the same thing. you get up and do it all over again. The exhaustion was taking a toll on my happiness and effectiveness. if the purpose of a job is to provide money as a proxy for freedom, what is the point?

 

In the deepest part of my heart, stability means predictability. It limits the potential experiences, exploration, and adventures I can have.

 

It also limits my ability to grow, learn, and change in the most meaningful way I want. The schedule imposed on me by a full-time job means I will never be able to prototype my life. I will never be able to explore my options.

 

All my friends were shocked by the decision - I quit their dream job - Google. They asked me where I wanted to go? start up your own business? go to Silicon Valley? or explore the Moon? I was laughing.

 

I walked around Kirkland downtown and then I gazed at Washington lake - I felt so peaceful even though I had no idea what was upcoming. The uncertainty made me feel I had control over my own life without being limited. So where is my next stop?

 

To be continued...

 

 

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This post is from https://medium.com/nerdsplus/why-i-quit-microsoft-and-google-the-thoughts-behind-it-8dfea7679c0d