Ritendra Datta has had a remarkable career as a software engineer, spending nearly a decade at Google before moving on to Meta, also known as Facebook. In an enlightening conversation with Business Insider, he compared his experiences at both tech giants, shedding light on the cultural and operational differences that shaped his career trajectory.

Datta's tenure at Google spanned from 2010 to 2019, a period he fondly recalls as the peak of his career in engineering. He describes the early years at Google as exhilarating, characterized by a strong sense of mission that inspired him as a builder. Reflecting on his time there, he states, The company felt extremely mission-driven, and I was inspired as a builder. His work at the company began in the Google Pittsburgh office, which was known for its vibrant culture complete with amenities like foosball tables, a diverse range of food options, and spaces designed for relaxation and collaboration. Datta appreciated this laid-back atmosphere where informal interactions with colleagues were encouraged, allowing creativity and innovation to flourish.

However, the turn of events came when Datta transitioned to the Mountain View office, seeking to escape the harsh East Coast winters and explore more opportunities. While the Mountain View location boasted enticing facilities such as lap pools and volleyball courts, he noticed a distinct cultural shift. The ambiance felt more serious, with employees seemingly more focused on work than collaboration, a change he attributes to both the inherent differences between the East Coast and Silicon Valley and a broader cultural shift within Google towards a more competitive environment.

After nearly a decade, Datta began to feel a sense of complacency creeping into his role. The repetitive nature of his tasks and a lack of new learning experiences pushed him to seek new challenges, ultimately leading him to accept an offer from Meta in 2019. The appeal was not just financial; Datta was eager to grow as an engineer in a fresh environment.

Upon joining Meta, he was immediately struck by the company's mantra: move fast and break things. This approach fostered an atmosphere of rapid change and constant innovation, a stark contrast to his previous experience at Google. Datta explains how at Meta, the pace was relentless. The second I felt like I understood something, he recalls, they'd say, 'Let's pivot, let's drop this, let's switch priorities.' While such an environment can lead to failures, he found that it often resulted in greater innovation. He experienced a blend of stress: the exhilarating kind that comes from hustling to create compelling products, contrasted with pressure stemming from a lack of clarity around some of the strategic shifts that required his team's immediate attention.

Despite the differences in work culture, Datta faced burnout at both companies, albeit in distinct ways. At Google, he felt the pressure to progress in his career, leading to intense self-doubt and frustration. In contrast, his time at Meta brought about moral dilemmas, particularly in 2021 when the company faced significant public scrutiny after a whistleblower leaked documents detailing the problematic handling of hate speech and misinformation. This period prompted Datta to question whether he was contributing to positive societal change through his work.

Promotion structures at both companies also diverged significantly. At Google, Datta felt the promotion process was fair and systematic, involving a detailed review by independent senior leadership. However, at Meta, the process was more opaque, with those determining promotions often being closely tied to one's organization. The emphasis on visibility and self-promotion at Meta was pronounced, with an internal platform resembling Facebook where employees showcased their accomplishments, which heightened competition among colleagues. This aspect of the culture led him to develop a mindset fixated on visibility, a trait he acknowledges may not have been beneficial.

Interestingly, Datta notes that Meta actively discourages negative behaviors more effectively than Google. The feedback mechanisms at Meta were robust, with a culture of mutual feedback that helped mitigate toxicity in the workplace. In contrast, Google had a less stringent approach, focusing more on technical performance rather than interpersonal dynamics.

Ultimately, while he had cherished memories from his early years at Google, Datta concludes that, in terms of influence, impact, and financial rewards, his experience at Meta was overall more beneficial. Despite this, he made the decision to leave Meta in 2023 for a new role at a startup, feeling optimistic about his current position. He asserts that both companies have the potential to be great places to work, showcasing the diverse experiences one can have in the tech industry.

If you work in Big Tech and wish to share your experiences, reach out to the editor, Manseen Logan, at mlogan@businessinsider.com.