[SI Developer Story] 01. Should I Avoid SI Companies?

SI Developer Story
#1. Should I avoid SI companies..?

When I talk to junior developers or aspiring developers, there's a common question they ask.

It's, "I heard I shouldn't join an SI company..?". Since I started my career at an SI company, I understand their concerns.

Today, let's discuss whether you should or shouldn't join an SI company.

❓ SI Business Structure
First, we need to understand the business structure of SI. Led by the 'Big 3' – Samsung SDS, LG CNS, and SK C&C – SI companies receive projects from companies (clients) needing systems and then subcontract the project. In this process, many SI companies end up in a subcontractor position, with some even further down the chain as sub-subcontractors. Naturally, the lower the position, the lower the cost, as the middlemen take their cut. Due to this issue, the public sector has restrictions on large company participation. However, the recent incident with the 4th generation education system, 'Nice,' showed the limitations of smaller companies' technical capabilities.

❓ Reasons to Avoid SI Companies

1. Inflated Experience

Some manpower dispatch companies (companies that simply provide manpower to other companies for a fee) – sometimes called 'Bodobang' (a derogatory term for such companies) – inflate the experience of new graduates, presenting them as 3-year (junior) experienced developers to get more money. If you join such a company, you could face penalties for falsifying official documents and cause harm to other team members on the project. Avoid these companies.

Reports of Experience Inflation

2. Constant Pressure to Meet Deadlines (Monday to Sunday...)

In software projects, the majority of the cost is labor. The client wants the project finished quickly, and the contractor wants to finish it fast to cut labor costs. This leads to a lot of pressure to meet deadlines. Depending on the client, you might end up working every day of the week.

3. Unfavorable Pay Structure

As discussed, lower-tier SI companies receive lower pay due to middlemen taking cuts. This results in a structure where you work hard but don't get paid well, making it difficult to expect high salaries or benefits. Many who work in these companies aim to improve their skills and move to a higher-tier company.

However, there are some good SI companies out there.

During my two years working on SI projects, I had a relatively low number of late nights and gained a lot of experience and skills. I believe I grew the most during this period. So, instead of absolutely avoiding SI companies, I think it's better to consider them as a starting point, especially if you're having trouble finding a job as a developer. Of course, it's crucial to choose a good SI company. I'll discuss how to choose a good SI company in my next post.