Ask HN: Getting off the career track as a mid-twenty developer
I am facing a decision that may shape my next five to ten years, which would affect further future undoubtedly. I've been lurking in HN long enough to believe that folks of HN would have more insights and perceptions that I lack. I will keep the narratives as pragmatic as possible.
I'm 26, graduated with CS and Literature in uwaterloo. I've recently left my first job after co-op, because I was unhappy with the career path I started.(the job was corporate-style ASP.NET. I knew it was not for me when I was happier working with AngularJS or objective C. Maybe it was codebase I had to work with.) Also, unlike when I graduated, I had no more reason to stay in this area. So I've resolved to move to West coast or SV and do "interesting" work. I had figured to rest for a month or two, recharge, learn, finish my side projects and work up portfolio, and then look for work.
Then unforeseen events happened and I am now pressed for time; I have to make a decision(to either find a job here, or to move) by the end of January, and realize it by March. I started calculating.
I've assessed that since I've decided to turn from my career path so far(C#, ASP.NET), my strongest assets are my youth and diploma.
I have an offer from a very small company via a friend; they promise full autonomy on a very small team. It sounded like they have a lot of work to do. The problem is that I do not know what I could be missing, since I have not yet officially started search.
1) I could take the offer I have with a small company with a reduced pay.
2) I could take a risk, study, and try to look for a job in west coast or SV area.
3) Look for a job in Toronto area, spend the times wisely this time, and bid for future.
I'm having difficulty with indecision since I cannot assess opportunity cost closely, and would appreciate an insight;