5 April 2024 – In a recent interview, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, offered insights into the demanding realities faced during Facebook’s formative years. Contrary to idealized portrayals, Bosworth shed light on the sacrifices and hardships endured by early engineers at the tech behemoth.
Bosworth reminisced about the close-knit community among Facebook’s pioneering staff, emphasizing their shared meals and proximity to the office. However, he dispelled romanticized notions, revealing the arduous workload that left little room for leisure or socializing.
The Meta CTO candidly admitted to adopting unhealthy habits, neglecting hobbies, and grappling with weight gain and excessive drinking during his tenure. He disclosed an astounding work schedule of 120 hours per week, enduring minimal sleep for two years while combatting spam attacks on the platform.
Reflecting on the early days, Bosworth underscored the absence of traditional support structures, such as HR departments or expert guidance. Engineers like himself had to rely on their ingenuity to tackle challenges, such as developing anti-spam systems.
Despite eventually ascending to a prominent role within Meta, Bosworth cautioned against idealizing the startup journey. He emphasized that success often comes at a significant personal cost, with dedication and sacrifice being paramount.
