Are the Walls Closing In?

There are many pros and cons to move either way.In big company you are not visible, your performance is dominated by others, there is volatile politics due to groups.You are small fish among the sharks, you have to climb many ladders to reach to top, but you may feel more secured.

Whereas in small company you are able to reach to top man, your performance is noticed, you can be rewarded for your achievements, you have to be always on your toes. If your boss is good person he will protect you from internal politics if you are targeted. But you feel unsecured as company is small and may close down due to any reason.

GA - Good perspective on the subject. I would only add that there is a tendency to be "dead ended" in a large company because the manager who counts on your performance does not want to loose you from their team. It is a rare and exceptional manager in a good company that cares as much about your career as you should.

I moved to a smaller company after 10 years, because I wanted to learn to be more than an engineer. Today with my partners we own and manage small companies. The engineering foundation has been and continues to be an asset. The risk of a smaller company or even starting a new company is not suggested for everyone.

The walls are closing in...the pendulum with the blade is descending from above...and the pit full of rats yawns below....

I'm in a happy place. I've worked for large companies which have the benefit of being able to fund work but the setback of implementing corporate decisions which don't work locally. I now work for a growing small company (20ish employees when I started, almost 50 now) & feel that I make a difference. I still know everyone who works here & get involved with all sorts of tasks apart from design.

I got lucky with the office space, we expanded into the adjoining factory unit but could not afford to fit it out straight away. I moved the design office in & commandeered the front office, screwing the CAD stations to the walls.