Discussion on: As a Software Engineer, do you prefer to work at start-ups or outsourcing agencies or big companies?

There are other options, too. But looking at the two presented, I can see why some are scared of breaking into the industry. Smaller and established companies are a viable option too. Not everything is a Microsoft or Amazon, or a startup. Plus there are ways into companies besides placement agencies. I much prefer smaller established companies, because I know the stability of their business AND it's still small enough where people are treated as actual people, rather than just an expense on a report.