- In February, Jean Kang decided to leave a successful career at a major technology company to focus on entrepreneurship.
- Although Kang enjoyed the perks of the industry, he felt overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle culture and mental strain.
- Now, she enjoys the freedom to set her own schedule as a content creator and career coach.
This essay is based on a conversation with Jean Kang, a 31-year-old senior programmer in San Francisco who has worked at Meta, Pinterest, Intuit, LinkedIn, and Figma. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I always dreamed of working for a large technology company, and graduating from college made that a reality.
From sales to account management to customer success to program management, I changed directions over 7 times and landed my dream roles at Intuit in 2014, Meta in early 2017, Pinterest in late 2017, and LinkedIn in 2020.
For the past two and a half years, I served as a Strategic Program Manager at Figma, earning over $300,000 in total annual compensation.
I had achieved my dream but I decided to give it all up.
Working for a big tech company comes with many perks
I loved learning how these large companies operated, it was amazing to see world-class people building teams and constantly pushing the cutting edge of technologies like AI and machine learning, I was always fascinated, learning something new and having fun.
Of all the companies I've worked for, Figma was my favorite because it had it all: kind bosses, fun projects, great products, and growth opportunities.
Every role had tech-related perks: great pay, free food, remote work, gym memberships, massages, etc. At LinkedIn, we had an InDay every month where employees took a day to focus on themselves, the company, and the world. At Pinterest and Meta, we got free breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and snacks.
To be honest, the perks started to get to me. I wanted more and more, and I was never truly satisfied. When I felt like I wasn't a good fit with my boss or the work culture, or that I was underpaid, I would leave to pursue another opportunity. Other times, I chose to leave to prioritize my family, like when I became the primary caregiver for my mother.
My mental state was affected
We felt pressured to move things quickly and jump through hoops – we often had to wait for approval from senior management and it could take months to launch a project.
The hustle culture felt overwhelming at times. The pressure to beat the competition and exceed expectations was stressful. I worked 12-hour days and worked weekends. It was hard to accept that my life had become my work and that my work defined me.
I realized I was only increasing the profits of big corporations. Why are they working so late if they're not going to cure cancer?
I felt like I was in some elusive Silicon Valley club, a bit like “Mean Girls,” where everyone around me only talked about other tech companies and technological advancements and only hung out with other tech employees. I didn't feel like I belonged there.
I knew when to go.
After a round of layoffs in January 2023, many of us were humbled. We realized that technology was no longer safe, that we were replaceable, and that we needed to invest in what really mattered: our happiness, our families, and our relationships.
I've been working a few side hustles in the evenings after work for over a year, and they've changed my life. After a taste of entrepreneurship while working a 9-to-5, I found myself thinking:What if I put all my effort into myself? If others can do it, why can't I?
I decided to quit in February. My biggest fear was failure, but I knew I would regret not taking a chance on myself and I could always find another job after this one. I had some savings, but knowing I could rely on my husband for support gave me peace of mind.
My side hustle has led me to work full time as a content creator and career coach.
Since leaving big tech, I feel like a new person
I am much happier now. I used to get such anxiety on Sundays, but that disappeared overnight. I no longer have anxiety. I was always thinking about work, but now I can sleep peacefully knowing that I don't have to please anyone but myself.
I love working remotely as my own boss rather than working in someone else's office. Being able to work wherever and whenever I want is incredibly freeing. Flexibility is a non-negotiable for me.
Freedom is another huge perk of my new life. After I quit my job, I took a two-week vacation with my husband and we traveled to Japan and Korea. It was the best trip I've ever taken. I was anxious about how much work awaited me, but it felt liberating to know I wasn't going back to work.
I now choose projects that make me happy and don't put too much pressure on myself to be successful. I now work 30-40 hour days and work weekends, but not because I have to. want To.
The success so far has been encouraging to me.
I wanted to take a year to test myself as an entrepreneur. If I had realized this life wasn't for me and craved stability more than money, I would have considered going back to a 9-to-5 job.
Instead, I am on track to exceed six figures by the end of 2024, have grown LinkedIn into a huge, supportive community, signed multiple five-figure brand deals, acquired numerous clients, and sold out career cohorts.
I miss working with smart, kind people and having a steady paycheck and great benefits, but the rewards of freedom outweigh all of those perks. I'm building the life of my dreams. This is freedom.
