💼 Big Tech vs. Startups: What’s the Right Internship Path? OpenAI Engineer Shares Her Perspective

For aspiring software engineers — especially in India and around the world — one critical question often arises at the start of their careers:
Should you intern at a major tech giant like Google or Microsoft, or dive into the dynamic world of startups like OpenAI?

According to Janvi Kalra, a technical team member at OpenAI, the ideal approach might be to experience both.

Speaking on the podcast The Pragmatic Engineer, Kalra encouraged students to explore a variety of work environments early in their careers. She highlighted how getting hands-on exposure to both corporate tech powerhouses and nimble startups can provide valuable insight into your preferred working style and long-term career goals.

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🚀 Why Try Both Big Tech and Startups?

Kalra's journey offers a compelling case study. After graduating with a Computer Science degree from Dartmouth College in the U.S., she held internships at Microsoft and Google, gaining structured, large-scale experience. Later, she transitioned to a leaner environment at Coda, a fast-paced productivity startup. Eventually, she found her way to OpenAI, where innovation and impact intersect daily.

Through her journey, she learned that big tech internships offer:

• Clear workflows and mentorship

• Access to large-scale engineering problems

• Prestige and valuable networking

Meanwhile, startups offer:

• Faster learning curves

• More ownership of projects

• Opportunities to influence product direction directly