[noodle]

Eh, I've been an early employee at several startups with successful exists. Each one had average early employees where the only thing they did that was truly exceptional was believe/commit in the cause early and stick it out. They helped the company get from point A to point B when others wouldn't. And they got great outcomes when liquidity arrived.

Being non-average definitely has better results, of course. But if you aren't, I do think there are still pathways for you at startups, while there generally speaking aren't at FAANG level companies.