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Big Company or Small Company
Why would I want to work at one or the other?

I possess 11+ years experience in my field. I have done work for a both a large company and a small company. I have also done freelance work. I would argue slightly in favor of the smaller company, though I cannot deny that my experiences at the big company has helped to shape me and my skill sets.

Both types of companies, large and small, have their advantages and disadvantages. These factors will depend heavily on your perspective, your needs, and your own personal ambitions. Which atmosphere is better for you will further depend on your own ability to compromise on "need-to-haves" vs. "nice-to-haves". I worked for a big company for nearly seven years. I worked for a small company for just over two years. I have also done freelance for many years.

Big Company

Big companies have a lot of advantages. You can potentially get a higher paying starting salary than you would get at a smaller company. There are usually more opportunities for advancement. Insurance packages are generally better as well. The big company's name recognition doesn't hurt to have on your resume either.

A big company may offer payment options for you to further your education. Usually though, there are stipulations. You might have to stay with the company for a specified amount of time after attaining any degrees or certifications. You are also limited to what you can study (that they will pay for). The big company isn't going to find it to be very cost-effective to pay for your educational advancement if is not in line with your current job or career path with them. Depending on where you want to go personally, this can be either a boon or a bain.

The disadvantages at a big company, at least from my personal perspective, are as follows:

Is your company public or private? Will you be getting annual raises or stock options? My big company that I worked for was privately owned for over twenty years, until the owners sold their company to an even larger public company. All of the sudden the employees were given "stock options" instead of "raises". As an employee of a public company, you can only sell your stock during certain times and only through an authorized trader for your company (who gets part of your profits). If you leave the company, your stock options become null and void after a certain amount of time.

There is little room for creative freedom at a big company. At least I found it to be so. There are also multiple

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