With the launch of new startups disrupting the status quo of traditional corporations, the word entrepreneurship has gained momentum. However, according to the Kaufmann Index of entrepreneurial activity, the large majority of people go into a corporate position, perhaps due to social pressure to get a “real” job or the simple fact that not everyone is an entrepreneur. In the United States, for example, the 2016 index shows that 330 out of every 100,000 adults started new businesses each month. That’s a mere 0.38 percent. Still, many more join an existing startup at an early stage and prefer it over a corporate career. If that’s an option for you, you should consider the following three points.

How much am I willing to risk?

One must definitely be a risk taker as the grand majority of the startups launched fail after one year. By definition risk is considered as the potential for losing something of value. Within a startup this can be your own personal time, an investment within the firm, or your expected future returns. If you have decided to enter or create your own startup, you must hit the ground running. Continuous learning and will to strive and push yourself in any task is definitely a must. If uncertainty excites you, you have an initial vision, and a strong passion to almost, quite literally, break through brick wall, then a startup may be for you.

The structure of the company could also potentially play a role in deciding whether to pursue an entrepreneurial career. It is theoretically not the same to enter a firm like UBER, which is an established startup that has had an exponential growth in the last couple of years versus an early stage firm that has just started putting its pieces together. The type of compensation package, level of responsibility, level of competition, department structure, and responsibilities will most likely be totally different. You can find yourself on Day 1 with a role that has only been 50% defined, leaving it up to you to find the ideal way to add value within the firm.

Am I getting enough compensation that keeps me motivated while paying the bills?

The first thing one must have in mind is one’s personal definition of success. Is it buying your dream house, travelling the world, or enjoying a simple meal at your favorite restaurant? Do you prefer the safety of a corporate role or are you willing to take the plunge and delve into the uncertainty of a startup.

Salary compensation packages and relocation projects also play a role, it may be that an early stage startup does not have the funds to dish out a similar salary to your previous corporate job, however, this can be negotiated and overcompensated in other ways e.g. with fringe benefits. Also, in regards to work life balance, working for a startup may allow you that flexibility that you so desire by giving you the possibility to mold your schedule around your personal activities. However, it is not your typical 8 to 10hr work schedule where after the day is done you simply disconnect. At a startup, you can’t really switch off. In addition, one must earn different rights, such as working from home, by demonstrating the level of impact the activities you are responsible for, have within the firm. You must realize that working for a startup is a long-term investment in yourself. As long as you can pay the bills, you can always capitalize on the learning experience and personal growth to zig zag within the firm to better opportunities or approach bigger startups that perhaps have more equity and a better setup.

Am I learning a better skill set?

As the saying goes, done is better than good. As a startup is typically less bureaucratic compared to a corporate firm which may have several decision phases, the speed of change when launching a new product or service plays a significant role. Within a startup one can take a short period of time to develop and launch a product into the market, and then fine tune it following market feedback and new trends among its users. One must be able to respond in a short time and have that adaptability. A non-defined role that is always evolving due to the direction a company pursues will unquestionably cultivate your creativity. It is up to you to raise your hand and embrace a new challenge as well as change.

At the end of the day it is all about ownership and having the right attitude in any task assigned regardless of how high or how low level the task responsibility may be. As Apple would say “Think Different” and in order to do that, one should “Act Different”.

Momentum Works is an accelerator that invests in the best startups in Southeast Asia & India. Our team has solid experience building and scaling tech startups across the region. Learn more at: http://www.momentum.asia