A Lack of "Why": It’s hard to stay driven when the company’s goals and "big picture" aren't clearly communicated. Without that vision, the culture feels a bit disconnected.
The "Deep End" Onboarding: Joining the team was a bit of a struggle. There wasn't a real plan, mentorship, or even a basic walkthrough of the product to help me get my bearings.
Self-Taught, but Directionless: While I had access to Udemy, I was essentially left to train myself. Without a roadmap or guidance from leadership, it was hard to know if I was even learning the right things for the team’s needs.
Sidelined Talent: It was frustrating to repeatedly ask for "heavy lifting" or critical tasks and be kept on the sidelines. After six months, it felt like my skills were being significantly underutilized.
Management & Feedback Gaps: Communication with leadership was a one-way street. Instead of regular check-ins or constructive coaching, I was met with an abrupt request to resign for reasons that didn't align with my experience.
Thin Healthcare: The health benefits don't provide much peace of mind; the coverage is quite basic compared to what most modern companies offer.
Daily Logistics: Small things add up—not having commuting support and having average-quality meals at the office made the daily routine feel much more draining than it needed to be.