Your points are valid and I would not disagree with anyone who is prioritizing salary over growing opportunity.
But I do believe though that there are people who are in that stage of their lives where they can take the risk of joining a company where they can grow faster, have a bigger potential financial outcome for the price of taking less monthly paycheck in the short term.
Personally, probably because I am younger, would take an opportunity for less $$$ where I do believe I can learn more, making me more valuable in the long run so eventually I can make more money. I think about it as an investment of my time that someone either willing to / can do, or not.
I do understand that not everyone can take this risk and I think that is perfectly fine.
> making me more valuable in the long run so eventually I can make more money
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the "more money" from experience gained while taking a paycut will pale in comparison to "more money" from the number of years you state on your cv and dollar value of your last salary.
In perhaps clearer words, taking a paycut for career growth will most likely just prohibit your potential future salaries regardless of how much technical experience you gained.
This of course all changes considerably when you're talking founding/early employee where minimum wage is a real possibility..
But I do believe though that there are people who are in that stage of their lives where they can take the risk of joining a company where they can grow faster, have a bigger potential financial outcome for the price of taking less monthly paycheck in the short term.
Personally, probably because I am younger, would take an opportunity for less $$$ where I do believe I can learn more, making me more valuable in the long run so eventually I can make more money. I think about it as an investment of my time that someone either willing to / can do, or not.
I do understand that not everyone can take this risk and I think that is perfectly fine.