[earl]

You can go far in life by following a very successful boss. And there may well be more promotion opportunities / more responsibility available at yahoo under Marissa than staying at Google. Or perhaps they've already made a million or so and own a home; why not take a flyer and see where it goes? I think you massively underestimate personal loyalty to someone who it sounds like went way out of her way to look out for these folks' careers. Because if someone did that for me I'd be loyal.

[mfringel]

The lower levels of a company are like undergrad... you go there for the reputation of the company/school.

The upper levels are like grad school... you go for the reputation of the boss/professor.

[Loic]

Upvoted. The best advice I received was: "Go where the boss is good and where you can go well with the boss."

[sbisker]

Fair enough. Being a good boss who actually mentors their employees is a secret weapon anywhere. :)