Torn on whether to leave Amazon for an AI lab
Torn on whether to leave Amazon for an AI lab
Genuine question for anyone who's made this jump. 6 YOE at Amazon, L5, decent team, WLB is honestly fine right now. Got an offer from one of the AI labs recently and the TC bump is real but I keep going back and forth.
Everyone talks about the mission and the pace over there but I've also heard the hours are rough and the culture round alone can make or break you before you even get a team. At this point of my career I care more about not burning out than chasing another 100k on paper, but also feel like I'd regret not taking a swing at the AI wave while it's still early.
Anyone here made the jump from Amazon to a lab and actually happy with it a year later, or did you end up wishing you stayed put? Trying to figure out if this is FOMO talking or an actual good move.
Replies (4)
The culture round filtering is real too, I've heard multiple people say they cleared everything technical and got dinged there.
Made the jump myself last year. No regrets but it's not for everyone, the pace is real.
Curious how long it took you to adjust to the pace.
If WLB is genuinely fine where you are right now that's worth more than people give it credit for.
Depends a lot on the team honestly. I know people at labs working 90 hour weeks and others who say it's chill.
Yeah that's kind of what worries me, feels like a coinflip on team.