Corporate Jobs Suck

There's a mind virus working its way through our workforce today.

I saw it loud and clear this summer as I talked to high school seniors heading off to college and late stage college students about to enter the workforce.

I also hear it from mid-career talent who haven't had the best work experiences to date.

What is it?

It's the wide-spread belief that working in a "corporate" job sucks.

Well, I'd like to offer a different perspective.

While it's just one man's viewpoint, I'm sharing it because I too was infected by this mind virus early in my career. I too thought that no cube-farm, white-walled, corporate institution could ever offer me an exciting experience!

As a result, my career has oscillated between entrepreneurial ventures and big recruiting leadership roles at multi-billion dollar companies. Honestly, I've enjoyed them both!

And while I would never discourage someone from starting a company, I do want to encourage everyone NOT to turn their nose up at "corporate" jobs.

Let me explain...

HOW TO UNLOCK AN AMAZING CORPORATE EXPERIENCE

If you want to see the world, experience different cultures, dine at the best restaurants, and unlock next-level cool experiences…you don’t need to be an entrepreneur or an influencer.

It’s all possible working for “the man”. Whoever he is.

You just have to pick the right company to work for.

Join companies with cool brands that enable amazing employee experiences.

I’ve been to Shanghai, Manila, London, Singapore, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the best cities in over 20 states on business trips.

I’ve stood on pro baseball fields (go Pirates!), went to a soccer game at Wembley, and had cocktails at the tallest buildings overlooking the most amazing cities in the world.

All on business trips.

Most of these things happened fairly early in my career too. And in HR! (of all fields).

So, before you start thinking these were executive off-sites or trendy sales meetings...they weren't.

They were gritty HR roles at a time when I was working my way up the career ladder.

3 WAYS TO REINVENT YOUR CORPORATE EXPERIENCE

Now, in exchange for these experiences, I’ve given 110% to the companies I worked for. It just seemed like a fair exchange of value. And I worked really hard on these trips. Usually with a case of bad jet lag!

So if you want a similar experience, you might have to work for it. But...here's 3 things you can do if you’re feeling like "corporate" isn't the path for your future:

  1. Reverse-engineer your career search. Look for companies on Fortune's Top 100 companies to work for (like Sheetz). Eh hem…#40 overall and #2 out of all retailers.

  2. Choose companies with a global footprint if you want to travel the world.

  3. And then, work your way onto project teams or roles where travel is required.

While it's not always easy to get into these companies, if you double-down and focus your career path on these three things, you too can find yourself on really challenging projects, with really cool people, in amazing destinations.

And the best part???

They’re not only free trips…you actually get paid to do them!

// Supporting Resources

Here is a curated list of high-value, creative assets based on the article's theme of fun, engagement, and team unity.

Books to Read…

  • Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin: This book challenges the idea of a traditional, unfulfilling corporate job by arguing that individuals can become indispensable "linchpins" by bringing creativity, passion, and personal initiative to their work. It's about finding fulfillment by becoming a key contributor, not just a cog in the machine. Link Here

  • The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels by Michael D. Watkins: This is a foundational guide for anyone starting a new role, especially in a large organization. It provides a strategic framework for a smooth transition, helping an individual quickly identify opportunities to add value, take on challenging projects, and build a reputation as a "fixer." Link Here

  • Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott: While aimed at managers, this book offers a powerful lesson for anyone in a corporate environment. It provides a blueprint for building strong relationships with your leaders and peers, which is essential for gaining the trust and autonomy needed to pursue exciting opportunities. Link Here

Podcast Episodes to Listen to…

  • "Becoming a Corporate Explorer" on The Corporate Innovation Podcast: This episode features a conversation with an executive who successfully navigated a corporate career by acting like an "explorer," constantly seeking new projects and challenges within a large company to find fulfillment and growth. Listen Here

  • "The Art of the Internal Transfer" on The Career Contessa Podcast: This episode breaks down the strategy and mindset required to move into new roles and departments within the same company, a key tactic for a leader who wants to gain new skills, experiences, and travel. Listen Here

  • "The Unexpected Perks of the 9-to-5" on The Minimalists Podcast: While this podcast typically focuses on life outside of work, this episode explores the often-overlooked benefits of a corporate job, such as financial stability and opportunities for travel, that can enable a more fulfilling personal life. Listen Here

Seminal Articles to Read...

  • "People leave managers, not companies' - but is the manager really at fault?" - Institute for Employment Studies: It discusses the common phrase and investigates its validity. It highlights a report by the Chartered Management Institute that found a significant number of managers lack proper training and that those with ineffective managers are more likely to be dissatisfied with their jobs and leave. Link Here

  • "Corporate Entrepreneurship: A driving force for strategic renewal and radical innovation in established companies": This paper examines how corporate entrepreneurship can be a tool for companies to strengthen their capabilities for strategic renewal and innovation. Link Here

Actionable Blog Posts…

  • "The Day I Quit My Job to Travel the World" (Nomadic Matt): This blog post explains that quitting his job was not just about leaving a position, but about rejecting a conventional life path that he realized wasn't making him happy. He concludes by offering resources for others who want to travel. Link Here

  • "2025 Travel Internships" (Way Up Blog): This list provides a concrete starting point for individuals who want to find corporate jobs that offer opportunities for global travel and unique work experiences. Link Here

Visual Frameworks...

  • 2025 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For List: A scannable list of the best companies to work for in the world. The article directly refers to this as a source for finding the right companies to pursue. Link Here

  • Job Leveling Matrix: A Job Leveling Matrix is a structured framework that defines and categorizes job roles based on criteria such as skills, responsibilities, experience, and impact. It's a tool used by HR and management to create a transparent system for compensation, promotions, and career progression. Link Here

Social Media Posts...

  • LinkedIn Post from a corporate leader: A high-engagement post that shares a personal anecdote about a career-defining project that involved global travel, showing that these opportunities exist within large companies. Link Here

  • Twitter Thread from a career coach: A thread breaking down the idea of a "corporate mind virus" and offering actionable steps for individuals to find more fulfillment in their current roles. Link Here

  • Instagram Post from a travel blogger who works remotely for a corporate company: A visually appealing image post that shares tips for negotiating remote work, highlighting the ability to travel while maintaining a stable career. Link Here

Key Videos/Talks…

  • "Here's Why You Want A Really Boring Job" (How Money Works): This video takes a different approach, arguing that a "boring" job can actually be a positive thing. It suggests that a stable, predictable job allows you the freedom to pursue your hobbies and passions outside of work, without the added stress of a more demanding career.
    Watch Here

  • The dark side of entrepreneurship" by Keaton Smith (TEDxYorkBeach): This talk explores the unseen difficulties of starting a business, focusing on the mental health challenges, loneliness, and stress that can lead to burnout. It argues for the importance of building a support system and community to overcome these pressures. Watch Here