Company Bias?
Mindy Schultz | March 16th, 2011
I have always wondered if people assumed certain things about other people based off their place of employment. Is there a bias that say, working at Google means your smart? And if so, does the bias teeter the other way as well? Do we as people assume someone working at a small company (maybe one you’ve never heard of) means they couldn’t make it in a big company, and are therefore less inept?
I struggled trying to start this article, because I truly don’t think there is a wrong or right answer to this question. Indefinitely, one of the most popular search engine’s to date is Google. In fact, I would think it is fair to assume that almost every American has “Googled” at least once. The name that Google holds is one of prestige and respect, so it is expected to assume great things from an employee working there. However, would that stigma stay true if that same person were working with a lesser-known company? Would we as people still assume great things from them? After trying to search (in fact on Google) for research to back this theory up, I came across little, to no evidence on the topic. Some interesting information I did come across suggested why working for a larger company was better than a smaller one:
1.There is no growth opportunity, can’t even use the job as a stepping stone.
2.Compensation and benefits are significantly less
3. Overtime is unrewarded and excessive.
Maybe the better assumption is that they are wiser, not necessarily smarter. They managed to find a full-time secure job in this economy that is able to pay well, offer amazing benefits and has created a successful name for itself nation wide. But again, should we necessarily assume things about who they are? Sometimes smaller companies are able to offer more job experience, whereas at larger companies you are always have to fight to be heard.
As I said earlier, I do not think there is a definite answer to this question, however the topic of choice can go on and on both ways. What do you think? Do certain companies (large or small) create particular biases to their employees working there?
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Tags: Google Inc., Labor
About the Author: Mindy Schultz is a recent college graduate from Indiana University. Aside from looking for a full-time position in Journalism or Communications, Mindy spends her time writing for SixDegreesofZR.com and is a part-time employee at the University of Houston acting as a TA for a professor. She is best known for her bubbly personality, sweet nature, and dedication to work. Mindy holds a BAJ in Journalism from Indiana University as well as a Certificate in Business.
March 16th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
So Mindy, is there no benefit in the risks associated with working for a Small Business? I mean if you were employee 10 at Facebook, aren’t you big time by now?
What are your thoughts?