[nine_k]

Trying to work for actually profitable companies should help! (No, haven't seen any profit from any options yet. I usually negotiate for mor cash when I can.)

[donkeyd]

Yup. Working for early stage start-ups is like entering a lottery that sells incredibly expensive tickets. Sure, you might get really rich some day, but there's a much bigger chance you miss out on wages and spend more than 40 hours a week working with no payday ever.

People should really be more aware of this, but as usual, everyone only focuses on the winners.

[nine_k]

It also puts you in various positions to which you'd have to grow for years and years in large companies, gives you a ton of interesting experience.

(Then you go and apply it elsewhere, for a larger salary and RSUs that actually are worth something on the market.)