Culture shock: going from an MNC to a local SME

Made the move 8 months ago and it's been an adjustment I didn't fully anticipate.

At the MNC: clear processes, structured onboarding, training budget, defined role. At the SME: you own everything, there are no processes to follow because you're often creating them, and "department" sometimes means you and one other person.

The good: I've done more in 8 months than in 2 years at the MNC. The bad: support systems are minimal and you really have to self-manage.

If you're considering this move, ask yourself honestly: do you need structure to thrive, or does ambiguity energise you? Both answers are valid — they just point to different workplaces.