Moving from an intern to a vice president position might seem like a long journey, but for those who choose to grow with a startup, it can be a rewarding experience. In the early days, tasks ranged from washing dishes to organizing events, but for those who stick around, the potential for advancement and success is significant.
Take Gil Ronen, for example. When he joined startup Mavens, which later got acquired by Zynga, it was a small operation with a handful of people working in a cramped room. Despite initially signing up for an unpaid internship, Gil saw potential in the company and decided to stay on board. He eventually worked his way up to becoming the Head of Data, leading the entire data department.
Choosing to work at a startup and grow with it has its perks, such as the opportunity for advancement and specialization. However, it also comes with challenges, like lower salaries compared to established companies. Despite these obstacles, many like Gil chose to stay, driven by the opportunity to work on interesting projects and with talented colleagues.
Ofri Ziv, now VP of Engineering and Security Research at Akamai, started his career as the first employee at GuardiCore. Despite numerous opportunities to leave, he stayed on, drawn by the interesting challenges and the close-knit team he had become a part of.
Shay Meller, now the Chief Analysis Operations Officer at Pontera, also started as one of the first employees at the company. Despite facing challenges along the way, he chose to stay, driven by the potential for growth and the strong bonds he had formed with his colleagues.
Similarly, Avshalom Mansour, now the COO at Simplex Mapping Solutions, started as a system operator. Despite the challenges of working at a startup, he stayed on, drawn by the opportunity to work on diverse projects and the strong organizational culture.
Maayan Cyzs, now the VP of Strategy at insurtech company Novidea, joined the company when it was still in its early stages. Despite the long hours and the many hats she had to wear, she chose to stay, driven by the sense of ownership and camaraderie she felt with her colleagues.
