Leaving Silicon Valley for Fintech Job in Chicago Was Lonely, Worker

• After graduating from Stanford, Jaime Muñoz moved to Chicago for a dream fintech job.
• He apprehensive about leaving the Silicon Valley startup hub behind, however felt the danger may repay. 
• He mentioned the toughest half was dropping proximity to his close-knit household in California.

This as-told-to essay relies on a transcribed dialog with Jaime Muñoz, 30, about transferring to Chicago for a dream job after ending his MBA at Stanford. The next has been edited for size and readability.

I arrived in Chicago in July 2022, feeling optimistic.

I would by no means lived exterior California earlier than and noticed this as a possibility to enterprise out alone — a recent begin.

I would accepted a brand new job alternative as a method and operations lead for a monetary know-how firm. I interned for a corporation referred to as Bridge Cash throughout my MBA at Stanford. They talked about that they had a possible function for me, however it could be in Chicago.

I used to be already contemplating different choices in California, the place I might be near my household. I needed to work at a fintech firm, and this chance with Bridge Cash was the precise sort of function I needed.

I assumed, “That is what I used to be searching for, so what’s stopping me?” I noticed it as a high-risk however high-reward alternative. After some laborious conversations with household and buddies, I made the transfer.

I apprehensive I would isolate myself from my community and Silicon Valley by transferring

I initially questioned whether or not Chicago was the fitting metropolis for me.

I did not know anybody there. Most of my Stanford classmates had been staying within the Bay Space after commencement. A part of the worth of getting an MBA is the community you kind, and I puzzled if transferring can be detrimental to that as a result of I used to be isolating myself.

I would heard that Chicago was turning into extra of a startup hub however not on the identical stage as Silicon Valley.

I would all the time performed it secure and thought of safety when it got here to jobs. I needed to be the primary in my household to be well-off. I do not wish to fear about retirement, and I wish to present for my future youngsters and cross down the wealth that I accumulate.

I did some analysis on how a number of the richest folks constructed their wealth. Lots of them talked about getting in early at an organization, being one of many first staff, and having fairness.

I used to be supplied one other function as a senior technique advisor with Accenture, based mostly out of the San Francisco workplace. The provide included the choice to purchase shares of their inventory, however I most popular the thought of getting shares allotted to me at an early-stage startup. Bridge Cash supplied me the opportunity of an fairness grant — if all went effectively on the firm, my fairness would enhance in worth.

I felt I might be a speck of mud in an enormous firm at Accenture. I would already labored there from 2015 to 2020 as a method analyst and senior technique advisor. There have been a number of ranges of seniority above me. At Bridge Cash, I used to be one of many first 10 full-time hires. Solely the CMO and CEO are above me, so I am making extra selections on my own. I feel I made the fitting alternative as a result of I’ve discovered a lot about myself.

Shifting to Chicago was lonely, despite the fact that I used to be on my A-game on the workplace

Since I would interned with Bridge Cash for 2 years earlier than beginning the job, I felt ready for the function. Most days within the workplace, I used to be on my A-game, making massive selections and collaborating with teammates.

Nonetheless, I wasn’t ready for the psychological challenges of relocating, reminiscent of coping with loneliness.

I’ve a really close-knit household in California. We lived in an eight-person family — myself, my three siblings, my mother and father, and two grandparents. I even have 15 first cousins on my mother’s aspect there.

I used to be all the time round members of the family, however in Chicago, I used to be purchasing and sightseeing on my own.

Consuming alone was some of the crushing experiences for me. At eating places, I would typically make reservations for one as a result of I needed to go away my condominium. The tables round me would have not less than two folks sitting on them, and it felt isolating.

I attempted hanging out with coworkers. They tried to combine me into their friendship group, and I used to be grateful, but it surely felt a bit like I used to be intruding.

I additionally dated to fulfill folks, however these relationships usually would not progress, and it made me really feel even lonelier.

I finally began making buddies by social media. I would been constructing a following on TikTok, and once I introduced that I would moved to Chicago on the app, my inbox was flooded with folks welcoming me. I began grabbing espresso with folks, and now, all of my buddies listed here are creators.

I am farther from household, however I am working towards my objective of constructing generational wealth

I want Chicago as a spot to San Francisco. Everybody’s a tech bro in San Francisco, however I meet folks from numerous professions right here. It is also extra reasonably priced.

The most important price has been dropping the proximity to my household. I’ve felt responsible that I am being egocentric and solely considering of my profession as an alternative of them.

However I additionally assume I am constructing generational wealth and making selections that may assist my present and future household. I am working laborious to economize, and I hope I can retire my mother and father and purchase them a home.

Shifting to Chicago might be the most important danger I’ve ever taken. There wasn’t a right away payoff, however we’re getting there.

It has been liberating and has allowed me to give attention to and prioritize myself.