Advice Needed: Should I Leave My SDR Job for a GTME Internship?

Udit G. · 2025-11-05 14:33:50.080158+00

Hi all, Need some quick advice from you all. I recently joined Clay Bootcamp last month which is a great experience so far. I am already working as an SDR with a B2B Saas company which is paying me around $1800 every month - most of time is spent on getting lead lists from marketing team, creating sequences and cold calling (cold calling - takes 50% of the time if done everyday diligently). Recently I got a part-time internship in the GTME role for $1200 (base + bonus) for 3/4 hours everyday. I am really excited to be working in this role but due to my current SDR job, I am not able to devote my time properly and advance my learning. I also have a lot of backlog on the clay bootcamp because I am unable to spend time on it. What should I do? Would leaving the current SDR job a good choice and devote my time fully toward building my career in GTME?

11 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Arpit C.
·
·
Tagging a few folks who can offer some words of wisdom: Stephanie H. Esther R. Willy H. Nat A.
Tyler
·
·
Tyler
Tyler
·
·
Oh someone tagged me, well I have to respond then.
1
🤣1
Tyler
·
·
Unless you are worried about insurance, my recommendation based on your scenario. Quit your SDR job, fully devote yourself to GTME. Make sure you document and report on as many metrically definable facets as you can - this is going to be your portfolio. Add on numerous clients as your skill level requires - remember this is your brand so don't over extend. The others Arpit linked are all VERY successful GTMEs and can give you honest feedback. I am also a former SDR.
➕1
Willy H.
·
·
haha the responses will be interesting
Willy H.
·
·
I'd say it depends on what you want... Corporate route: If your goal is to end up as GTME at like Clay/Anthropic/[name your hyped AI org of choice] they will be looking for a strategist, not just a builder. Kinda like when you're building a house, you speak with an architect, not only the person that lays down the brick. To get there, Enterprises won't look just for your capabilities technically, but also how you systems/process think. Your years of relevant experience will lend a hand here. It's not uncommon for these folks to look for RevOps or adjacent positions with turned GTME that have 4-10 years~ of experience to tackle the GTME role. Agency/Gigs: If you just want to build and get paid for it, there are loads of agencies and one of projects that you can apply for, that said, their projects can be short-lived gigs and you'll have to finish a project and start another one either with the same agency or a fiverr contract. So it depends on what you want, your end goal. I wouldn't say quit your day job right away, but I would say map out your end goal and work backwards to mini goals that'll make you confident in diving in. Then dive in 100%. I'm also a former SDR/Ent AE (mostly in the automation/integration space) pivoting into GTME.
Willy H.
·
·
also big +1 on Tyler's comments:
Make sure you document and report on as many metrically definable facets as you can - this is going to be your portfolio.
I regret not taking snapshots of what I built or documenting the systems thinking process at my former company. &&
remember this is your brand so don't over extend
definitely don't get happy ears take on projects and do half-assed work. it will follow you. You do not get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression amigo.
2
Stephanie H.
·
·
Never outsource this Q! What feel true and right to you? What feels exciting, and aligned, and EXPANSIVE? I've always been 100% or nothing in following my passions, curiosities and what I'm naturally good at (or determined to learn because of some weird, cosmic pull). I've just published my brand-led engineering thesis today, all because a silly little word on a newsletter had a distinct cosmic aura about it 6 months ago (the word was Clay). Follow the magical breadcrumbs!
1
Bruno E.
·
·
Udit G. my advice here is optimizing for what you want to do long-term. You should then answer the question: which job will put you a step closer to what you want to do?
For example: Do you want to pursue a GTM Engineering career in the long-term? Or maybe not a GTM Engineer, but Ops or Growth Marketing, etc.? Then the GTME role is likely a better option.
For example: Do you want to become an account executive or an Enterprise seller? Then the SDR role is likely better.
I've taken pay cuts in my career in the past in favor of a better long-term career move. However, I had the flexibility to do it. You should also take into account your own situation as well your family's. Not everyone can take a pay cut.
3
Arpit C.
·
·
I second what Bruno E. has said here. You should optimise for whatever you see yourself doing 5-10 years down the road. The SDR path is great for people who like to talk, do an lot of meetings, build relationships, and so on. The GTME path is ideal for folks who like to build solutions!
1
Stephanie H.
·
·
FOLLOW YOUR HEART!!!! 🫶💜🤓
💯2

Arpit C.
·
·
Tagging a few folks who can offer some words of wisdom: Stephanie H. Esther R. Willy H. Nat A.
Tyler
·
·
Tyler
Tyler
·
·
Oh someone tagged me, well I have to respond then.
1
🤣1
Tyler
·
·
Unless you are worried about insurance, my recommendation based on your scenario. Quit your SDR job, fully devote yourself to GTME. Make sure you document and report on as many metrically definable facets as you can - this is going to be your portfolio. Add on numerous clients as your skill level requires - remember this is your brand so don't over extend. The others Arpit linked are all VERY successful GTMEs and can give you honest feedback. I am also a former SDR.
➕1
Willy H.
·
·
haha the responses will be interesting
Willy H.
·
·
I'd say it depends on what you want... Corporate route: If your goal is to end up as GTME at like Clay/Anthropic/[name your hyped AI org of choice] they will be looking for a strategist, not just a builder. Kinda like when you're building a house, you speak with an architect, not only the person that lays down the brick. To get there, Enterprises won't look just for your capabilities technically, but also how you systems/process think. Your years of relevant experience will lend a hand here. It's not uncommon for these folks to look for RevOps or adjacent positions with turned GTME that have 4-10 years~ of experience to tackle the GTME role. Agency/Gigs: If you just want to build and get paid for it, there are loads of agencies and one of projects that you can apply for, that said, their projects can be short-lived gigs and you'll have to finish a project and start another one either with the same agency or a fiverr contract. So it depends on what you want, your end goal. I wouldn't say quit your day job right away, but I would say map out your end goal and work backwards to mini goals that'll make you confident in diving in. Then dive in 100%. I'm also a former SDR/Ent AE (mostly in the automation/integration space) pivoting into GTME.
Willy H.
·
·
also big +1 on Tyler's comments:
Make sure you document and report on as many metrically definable facets as you can - this is going to be your portfolio.
I regret not taking snapshots of what I built or documenting the systems thinking process at my former company. &&
remember this is your brand so don't over extend
definitely don't get happy ears take on projects and do half-assed work. it will follow you. You do not get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression amigo.
2
Stephanie H.
·
·
Never outsource this Q! What feel true and right to you? What feels exciting, and aligned, and EXPANSIVE? I've always been 100% or nothing in following my passions, curiosities and what I'm naturally good at (or determined to learn because of some weird, cosmic pull). I've just published my brand-led engineering thesis today, all because a silly little word on a newsletter had a distinct cosmic aura about it 6 months ago (the word was Clay). Follow the magical breadcrumbs!
1
Bruno E.
·
·
Udit G. my advice here is optimizing for what you want to do long-term. You should then answer the question: which job will put you a step closer to what you want to do?
For example: Do you want to pursue a GTM Engineering career in the long-term? Or maybe not a GTM Engineer, but Ops or Growth Marketing, etc.? Then the GTME role is likely a better option.
For example: Do you want to become an account executive or an Enterprise seller? Then the SDR role is likely better.
I've taken pay cuts in my career in the past in favor of a better long-term career move. However, I had the flexibility to do it. You should also take into account your own situation as well your family's. Not everyone can take a pay cut.
3
Arpit C.
·
·
I second what Bruno E. has said here. You should optimise for whatever you see yourself doing 5-10 years down the road. The SDR path is great for people who like to talk, do an lot of meetings, build relationships, and so on. The GTME path is ideal for folks who like to build solutions!
1
Stephanie H.
·
·
FOLLOW YOUR HEART!!!! 🫶💜🤓
💯2