Is joining a startup right after school a good idea?

Do your homework. Right after graduate school I went to work at a startup with $8 million in VC money, a nice office, and a good outward appearance. After a few months I found out that they didn't have customer traction, saw some people lose their jobs, and wasn't convinced that the product worked as advertised. I was just a small cog in a larger machine, but perhaps I could have asked tougher questions during the interview process.

Here's some more to chew on,

http://venturehacks.com/articles/job-offer

http://genuinevc.com/archives/2005/10/18/seven-questions-emp...

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/03/nine_questions_.html#axz...

I agree fully with the two other comments. Working for or even starting a startup can lead to great financial success, a good resume, great connections, and a fun experience. It however is a big risk due to lowered salary and sometimes infinite work hours. This risk however has a lower effect when you're young and don't have the expenses or time that someone who is married and has 2 kids has. Additionally as laservr said, do your homework. Since you're taking a risk with that startup you want the odds that you come out of your employment a rich man to be as high as possible. If you see that the idea/company is failing or don't believe in the idea then don't work with them.

Short advice: Go for it, but approach with caution.

Yes, just do it, but not for too long. Aim to start your own within a couple of years.

Two answers

1. If you are young free and single, hell yes. Having no life commitments is not something every young person finds, and much rarer as you start to go grey. So take the opportunity now if your life fits well. (I am reminded of a poem to the poets younger self, about running barefoot more often, sleeping around more. Those I leave up to you )

2. The whole career stability thing - there was a recent post about recruitment agencies and another on the non-existent skills gap. In short large companies used to hire right out of school, mentor, train and churn out well rounded professionals. They stopped doing that.

A start up is the most likely place to get ten years corporate experience in 2. Maybe. Whi h leads to 3.

3. It totally depends on the start up itself. Gut feel is the best I can suggest.

But if you life circumstances can support it, take a flyer and join one. Worst case you are looking again in 6 months but with some intensive experience under your belt.