thrwyhnest
For talented graduates in computer science, electing to start a technology company is an extraordinarily dangerous financial decision. In many ways it's transferring technology risk from larger companies to graduates at their expense.
Graduates from top CS institutions command salaries and liquid stock in the $200K-$500K range within their first decade in the workforce, which is a guaranteed payout of $2M-$4M, compounding as their careers advance.
Starting a technology company necessarily involves lower salaries, but also substantial compensation in your own company's equity, which is inherently illiquid compared to larger companies. The vast majority of startups end up going to zero, even those started by top graduates, and you never make back that missing $1M-$2M in your career.