I once was asked, "Which is the better place to work-a private company or a public one?" It was a logical and highly relevant question, as the inquiring student had a job offer from both types of organizations. At first, I was tempted to point out that there are no absolutes and that there is good and bad in everything. But then I thought about the fact that private and public companies do have specific characteristics that might influence a young professional's decision-if that person is lucky enough to have a choice. "Publicly traded companies have to abide by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations," I began. "They also must use generally accepted accounting principles. If any of these organizations cause trouble, the SEC or Congress quickly adds new regulations. These factors can cause public companies to exhibit a sameness that may reduce opportunities for creativity."
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