At just 23, Aashna Doshi quits one of the most sought-after jobs in the tech industry Google Launching a startup and pursuing an idea that grew alongside her engineering career.Doshi is a former software engineer in New York City. She made the decision earlier this year after joining Google and building a side project that ultimately reshaped her career path. Her journey began even before she graduated from Georgia Tech, when she received a full-time job offer from the tech giant in February 2024.At the time, the role was based in California, but Dorsey set his sights on New York. Facing the fiercely competitive job market, she made a bold decision.In an interview with Business Insider, she explained the turning point:“I took a big risk to get a job at Google. Now I’ve left it and got another job.”She declined the initial offer, a decision that quickly paid off. Two months later, she was offered a software engineer position at Google in New York City, which allowed her to move to the city she wanted.She enjoyed her time at Google and valued the learning experience, but Dorsey said she came to feel the need for something beyond her day-to-day technical work.“I really enjoyed my experience at Google. I learned every day and met a lot of smart people from different backgrounds.”However, she says engineering work alone doesn’t fully satisfy her creative interests. This led her to start a podcast called “0 to 1” in early 2025 with a co-host who also works at a big tech company.The podcast focuses on conversations with founders, engineers, executives, and creators exploring personal journeys.“The name of the show, in addition to being a nod to our software engineering background, stems from the idea that there is so much value in getting from zero (where someone started) to one (who they are today).”It started as a side project but quickly gained traction. The podcast racked up more than 100,000 YouTube views in its first year and helped the pair connect with senior leaders at companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Many early customers came through cold messages and personal networks.Dorsey said the platform became a tool for professional development and networking.Without podcasts, it’s hard to imagine how we would connect with people at the top of big companies.As the audience grew, so did the ambition behind it. Ultimately, Dorsey said the experience changed her perspective on her career trajectory.In May of this year, she decided to leave Google to work full-time on an artificial intelligence startup called Bounty with her partner. The company is designed as an outcome-based AI marketplace where businesses can assign tasks like lead generation, outreach or recruiting and only pay when results are delivered.“It feels like the right time to leave Google.”She explains that working at a large tech company gave her valuable experience, but also left her wanting more independence and faster execution.“At a big tech company, you’re part of a very large machine, and I aspired to be able to make decisions, move quickly, and see the direct results of my work.”Dorsey also said the current wave of artificial intelligence tools influenced her decision. Leaving Google meant giving up financial stability, which she admits wasn’t easy. Her startup is still in pre-profit status and she is currently on a founder’s salary.“Leaving Google was risky, but I’ve always believed that if you’re attracted to something strongly enough, you have to be willing to give up the good things to pursue something potentially great.”
