It is true that having the opportunity to work at Meta would provide many chances for growth within the tech field. With a background in Design and Computer Science, this role would undeniably advance my career in big tech, not only by building out my skillset through projects but also by collaborating with other highly talented individuals and learning from co-workers. In a large company like Meta, there are countless ways to inspire, explore, and meet people, creating strong connections. The culture encourages everyone to make an impact, not just those at the top, and the chance to work across different projects and teams excites me. Most importantly, it would be particularly meaningful to design a product used by so many—the 3.98 billion users of Meta.
However, when it comes to for-profit companies, especially giants like Meta, there are almost always ethical concerns—I often reflect on the moral compromises that contributed to their success. Specifically, Meta’s algorithm ranking system, which boosted engagement at the expense of people’s mental health, comes to mind. The lack of transparency in how the platform functioned allowed them to hook more users, many of whom were unaware of the underlying mechanisms. The ethics of such practices are something I would need to consider when working on any feature that could negatively impact users. While I wouldn’t be completely dissuaded by Meta’s history, I do feel a personal responsibility to ensure that my work contributes positively. I would aim to work on projects that prioritize user well-being rather than sacrifice it for product success, striving for a synergy between the two.
As someone heavily focused on HCI and design, I would try to take a human-first approach, centering the user experience—because ultimately, that leads to the best product, even if it means sacrificing a percentage of engagement. Of course, this is easier said than done, and in reality, there could be pressures to prioritize the highest-performing solution. For now, I would say that I would accept the job, with the condition that I understand the role I will play in the company, while striving to balance and maximize both user-centered design and sound business strategies.
-Sydney Y
