[shantheman]

For me there were a lot of factors, but the biggest one was that the large tech company was my first job out of college, and I didn't want to stay there for the next 40 years. So, after 4 or so years, I left to try something different and see what was out there in the big bold world. I don't regret it at all. Perhaps I will end up at a big tech company again someday, but until then, I'm enjoying lots of other experiences (startups, mid size companies, etc).

[lewispollard]

Same. Worked for IBM for a year, while I was still in uni, didn't enjoy it because of how you were just another cog in the machine. I just thought, I wouldn't want to look back in 20 years and think I wasted opportunities by staying there. Now I'm working for a company with a 3 man software development team and it's so much more rewarding and satisfying.