Little Fish, Big Pond

As I mentioned yesterday, I've worked for both big and small companies and I enjoyed each in different ways. Working in a large corporate environment typically means you're a little fish swimming around in the big corporate pond. Like anything in life, there are pros and cons to this scenario.

Opportunity. Large corporations can provide an endless amount of opportunity. They typically employ a huge number of people throughout the country and sometimes, even the world. They have entire departments - large teams of people - dedicated to every aspect of business: technology, marketing, legal, sales, customer service, mergers and acquisitions, you name it. Large companies employ people to do anything and everything for them. Whatever you're interested in doing, there's probably a department for it. When I worked for a large financial institution, it was very exciting to think of all the things I could do with my career. I was working in a bank branch at the time, but across the country we had offices full of people who were lawyers, accountants, advertisers, market researchers... I was a banker but I felt that any career I wanted was possible within the same company. If you find a large company that you really like, explore the opportunities.

People. Large companies employ a lot of people. There's something that just energizes me when I think about that. Working for the bank, I used to love going to big regional conferences where hundreds of employees gathered together to share ideas and learn new things. Several times, I even had the opportunity to go to training courses in other parts of the country. Working for a large company can sort of feel like having a huge, extended family.

Freedom. If you work for a large company that has locations around the world, you have a huge amount of freedom. A friend of mine works for a large global corporation and, in the past ten years, he's lived in Thailand, Belgium, Switzerland and England. If you're young and interested in seeing the world, a large corporation would love to move you around. Someone who is willing to relocate is really seen as an asset. Even if you're not looking to go somewhere exotic, a large corporation can make moving to a different city a lot easier. Transferring within the same organization is much easier than going out and finding a brand new job and/or career.

Name Recognition. Working for a company that others know and respect can be very helpful for building your resume. When someone sees that you've worked for a reputable company, they will automatically consider you a stronger candidate. Whether or not this is valid, people are comfortable with the familiar. Working for a company that is seen as a leader in its field can really make you stand out. Because of this, it helps to associate yourself with companies that have strong reputations and values that reflect your own personal values.

Is It For You? Working for a large company isn't for everyone. It can be rigid and full of beaurocratic nonsense. Changes in procedure can take a long time to take effect. When you see that something doesn't work and you want to change it, you may not have the authority or the power to do anything about it. Roles are strictly defined and the organizational hierarchy that is common in large companies can feel limiting.People who thrive in large companies enjoy the feeling of being a part of something big. They like the structure in a large organization - standard procedures that don't change can be very appealing. Many people also enjoy the recognition and reputation associated with a company that has a known brand name.It's funny that doing the same job at companies of different sizes can give you completely different experiences. If you're not enjoying your job, consider that it might not be the position but rather, the size of the company. Don't be afraid to switch it up and try something different. If you're in a small office, go big. If you work for a multi-national organization, consider searching for a local business to help you grow your career.What do you think? Do you prefer the environment of a large company or a small one? Share your thoughts!