Ask HN: Should I take a Data/ML job at a startup that doesn't yet have data

[erwnerve]

After 7 years of frontend web app experience, I'm switching careers to ML/DataScience and looking for that first job to get my foot in the door. I recently spoke to a founder of a very early-stage startup. (I don't have any experience working with startups either.) They seem to have their frontend work outsourced to a team in another country but their core product will eventually depend entirely on a recommendation engine that will need to be built by new people. If I take the job, I'll be the first Data person, but also the first in-house tech guy so I might end up with leadership responsibilites later on.

My question is whether it makes sense at all to join as a "Data person" when the data will likely be insufficient for the next 12+ months. They won't even launch the app until January.

I worry that I will get caught up in mostly doing urgent frontend work and putting out fires and it will be at least a year before I even begin to look at the data.

Thanks for any advice and for pointing out my naivete!

[jppope]

Just throwing this out there... but worry more about the company/team/funding first. Their claims may or may not be true... but you should make sure you're good financially first.

[erwnerve]

Got it. Honestly at the moment, i'm financially somewhat secure and so i'm open to a riskier venture. If the startup failed in a year but I've gained considerable Data-engineering experience, I would still think of it as a win.

But you're right. The company/team matters and the viability of the startup matters. Though I have no idea how to estimate how their funding will turn out in the future...

[jppope]

If you are financially stable... the go bigger. You can afford to really look for the right gig. Find a solid headhunter, and find your perfect gig... it will take ~3-6 months but it will be worth it.

Other option, start a biz on the side that utilizes the exact skills you would need later.