Why did a Google software engineer leave her job in New York?
At just 23 years old, Ashna Doshi left one of the most popular jobs in technology at Google to found a startup and pursue a creative idea that was growing alongside her engineering career.Doshi is a former software engineer based 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 offer from the tech giant in February 2024.At the time, the role was based in California, but Doshi had her sights set on New York. Faced with a competitive job market, I made a bold decision.In coverage with Business Insider, she explained the turning point:“I took a big risk to get my job at Google. Now I’m going to take another job by leaving it.”She declined the initial offer, a decision that quickly paid off. Two months later, she landed a software engineering role at Google based in New York City, which allowed her to move to the city she wanted.She enjoyed her time at Google and appreciated the educational experience, but Doshi said she gradually felt a need for something beyond her day-to-day technical work.
“I really enjoyed my experience at Google. I was learning every day and meeting a lot of smart people from diverse backgrounds.”However, she said that engineering work alone does not fully satisfy her creative interests. This led her to start a podcast in early 2025 called “0 to 1,” alongside a co-host who has also worked at major tech companies.The podcast focused on conversations with founders, engineers, CEOs, and creatives and exploring personal journeys.“The name of the show, in addition to being a nod to our backgrounds in software engineering, came from the idea that there is a lot of value between zero — where someone started — and one — who they are today.”It started as a side project, but quickly gained traction. The podcast surpassed 100,000 views on YouTube in its first year and helped the duo connect with senior leaders from companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Many of the first guests came via cold messaging and personal networking.Doshi said the platform has become a tool for career growth and networking.Without podcasts, it was difficult to imagine how we would communicate with a high-ranking person in a large company.As the audience grew, so did the ambition behind it. Ultimately, Doshi said the experience changed her outlook on her career path.In May, she made the decision to leave Google and focus full-time on building an AI startup called Bounty with her co-host.
The company is designed as a results-based AI marketplace where companies can assign tasks such as lead generation, networking, or recruiting sourcing, and pay only when they achieve results.“It seemed like the right time to leave Google.”She explained that working within a large technology company gave her valuable experience, but also made her want more independence and execute faster.“At a big tech company, you’re one piece of a very big machine, and I crave the ability to make decisions, move quickly, and see the direct results of my work.”Doshi also said that the current wave of AI tools influenced her decision. Leaving Google meant giving up financial stability, something she admitted wasn’t easy. Her startup is still in the pre-revenue stage, and she is currently earning a founder’s salary.“Leaving Google was a risk, but I’ve always believed that if you feel a strong enough pull toward something, you should be willing to step away from the good in pursuit of something that could be great.”