If you are an SDE, how are you doing? Do you regret not going into management sooner? Do you still worry about promotions getting to staff and beyond? How often do you switch companies? Motivation for qn: I'm 30 at mid-level and am not motivated enough to slog since I growth is kinda capped after Senior and Staff. Not keen on management. Trying to figure out where to go from here.
Good luck and all the best.
YOE?
I love the question! Looking for some genuine and insightful answers
I’m in my 30’s and still entry level. Was let go from my last 4 jobs. I will almost certainly be IC by the time I’m 40.
Just doing great. Working towards E7. No interest in management whatsoever. High level ICs are rare than managers and senior managers. I don’t think I would change company anytime soon. But even so, leetcode is no longer important to me. So interviewing would be okay.
That's great! What steps did you take for L7? Did you invest in developing in a niche tech at FB and stuck around? Would it be tougher though for you to switch and make the same impact?
Not yet lol. But expect promo within a year. I am a specialist in some core techs. I can move other companies but have to be big companies. Not much startup opportunities. If you are an external L7+ hire, it looks like people expect a 1-yr ramp up time.
Senior here, approaching 40, haven't seen overt ageism, in fact people seem to give me benefit of the doubt due to me looking older (maybe they assume I'm like staff+) and knowing how to talk a good game (something many younger engineers lack). On the other hand, management do pay more attention to younger and high potential employees, putting them on executive fast track, additional mentoring and more important projects, etc.
Do you feel the need to get to staff quicker or are okay with a natural pace? Do you think only a few companies like Google help more with staying at this level? (By providing wlb and good amount of tech scale to learn/contribute)
Advancing on the corporate ladder beyond senior requires political acumen, regardless if you're on IC track or management. You should follow your value and your heart. Among people I know, some are planning their exit from big tech, some are working hard to climb that ladder, some are just chilling, some started their own companies.
You go for FIRE from here.
In late 30s, I’m happy as a Staff IC. Pay is good. And I can easily switch company without worrying about leetcode. My domain knowledge is my value.
I need to get to this place, make my domain == gold
Can you suggest a few domains to stick to and build knowledge on?
Very close to 40. >10 YOE in small tech, just joined Amazon as L5, my first job in big tech. Honestly don't mind the L5 IC work, L6 seems within reach easily, no aspirations of moving to management. L7 is a high bar at Amazon, might be cool some day but I'm not in a hurry.
TC?
245, MCOL (remote)
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