Why Do People Gravitate Toward Corporate Jobs? A Frustrated Perspective
As a newcomer to the corporate world, I find myself wrestling with a question: why do so many individuals seem drawn to large organizations and corporate positions? My recent experience left me perplexed and somewhat disillusioned.
For most of my career—approximately eight years—I thrived in a small company environment, with a workforce of around 200 people. The hierarchical structure was refreshing; it was a flat organization where interactions flowed through just three levels of management: CEO, direct supervisor, and junior staff. While senior personnel supported their bosses, the connection felt genuine and empowering.
However, my recent transition to a Fortune 500 company was a stark contrast and, quite frankly, one of the most disheartening experiences of my professional life. As I’ve shared my concerns on platforms like Reddit, I’ve come to learn that my feelings are far from unique—many others echo similar sentiments about their corporate experiences. I encountered a culture rife with unhealthy competition, gossip, and a tendency to undermine co-workers rather than collaborate for mutual success. This pervasive negativity clashed with my core values, ultimately leading me to resign and contemplate starting my own business.
Throughout nearly a decade of work, I operated under the belief that one’s role should focus on productivity, team support, and contributing positively to company goals. Yet, in the corporate environment, I observed a glaring lack of those principles. Instead, I found my time consumed by office politics: strategizing to undermine others, spreading rumors, and intentionally withholding important information. The environment was anything but conducive to fostering teamwork or driving the organization’s success.
What confounds me further is the apparent normalization of this behavior. Is this truly the corporate culture that people aspire to be a part of? Do individuals genuinely wake up each day resolved to spend the next two to three decades engaged in such detrimental practices? It felt as if I had entered a parallel universe, where the prevalent mindset was perplexingly counterproductive.
Throughout my tenure in this corporate realm, I couldn’t help but wonder: is there a rationale behind this toxic behavior? Does this mentality lead to genuine success, or is it merely a cycle of undermining and negativity masquerading as productivity?
I am reaching out for clarity because I sensed something was fundamentally off during my time in corporate life. Many of my colleagues continued with their routines as if this toxic culture was entirely acceptable. What am I missing? Surely, there must be a
