I received 2 offers with similar TC (~$100k) for a fresh college grad role 1. AWS Tech U program Technical Account Manager $100k TC 2. Cisco CSAP program Associate Systems Engineer $100k TC current TC: $60k YOE: 0 (Non US)
Amazon opens better opportunity once you leave. But wlb is a bit harsh.
One is a sales role and other is in engg. What do you want to do ?
The systems engineer role is actually a pre-sales role, despite the name. Dunno what's with the naming scheme but they also refer to the role as 'associate sales engineer'
Still they are different roles. One is sale and the other is pre-sales.
Aws. I’m a Tam right now
How is the experience? I was a bit worried that I would be too detached from anything technical but my understanding is that the TAM role at AWS is more technical than equivalent TAM roles. How is TAM vs SA vs ProServ consultant?
So far so good. I just started but it seems to be very technical. Good combo of business and tech. I only can speak for TAM but it’s considered same level of tech as SA
I’d go TAM and you can always look to move to SA after 2-3 years. Also you do 4-5 in AWS as a TAM and you’ll have easy exits to many Pre-Sales/Customer Success roles if you want to still go that route. Cisco SE to me is a bit of a legacy role.
Interesting - why do you say move to SA after 2-3 years? Do you think the SA role is a better opportunity than TAM?
Mainly because it is the closest thing AWS has to a Sales Engineer type role if that is what you want to do. Otherwise it is just personal preference, I prefer Sales Engineer (I am one) to TAM all things equal, but I’d still pick TAM @ AWS in your shoes.
In AWS, WLB is a hit or miss, pip happened but not that frequently, but will definitely happen around you. It's kinda demotivated to see your peer getting piped away.. Other than that, you are rewarded with a very great opportunity to work on large scale system, and open a lot of door in other company in the future. p.s. I am SDE, but I think it might apply to you too.
Yeah, definitely. Have been reading a lot about the PIP culture here on Blind. I think since I'm a fresh grad it might not affect me too much - plus I am willing work very hard this early in my career so WLB isn't too important short-term.
I did the ASE role a long time ago and just leaving Cisco in the next month or two after a great career to move over to…AWS. ASE is a great program as they pay you basically to learn and get certifications. I would highly recommend it for the same pay, as you don’t have to worry too much about PIPs, etc. I’m moving over to AWS for continued career growth, as I didn’t feel like I was at Cisco anymore after over a decade and getting high up in the SE/SA ranks. DM me if you want more info. By the way, they’ve basically doubled the pay since I went through over a decade ago, WTF
Hey man, sorry for the late reply but thank you for sharing your experiences - this is very insightful for me. Yeah, my priority at this stage of my career is absolutely learning and I felt the Cisco program would be great for that. It's just from my understanding that AWS offers something similar through their Tech U program. I'll definitely DM you. On your last point, I'm non-US so that might be why haha.
If you are looking for something similar to ASE, look for a Associate Solution Architect role at AWS, not TAM. Like others have said, switch between SA and AM is not that difficult but other way is. I get the Cisco vs AWS decision.
Depends what you want to do. AWS TAM is mostly an execution role and not very technical. Cisco SE is strategic and technical.
Cisco SE opens more doors. You can always be TAM or SA at AWS after that. The reverse is not really true. Cisco CSAP is highly prestigious. I would go with the Cisco path here and you can always pivot after a few years. Note- I’m not with Cisco anymore 😀
Thank you for your insight and yes I absolutely agree - TAM seems like a less technical role as its less hands-on and more support-focused. However, doesn't the fact that Cisco is in a less innovative industry (networking vs cloud) factor into this? Although CSAP looks really attractive, I was just worried about going into an older industry vs. emerging cloud industry. Out of curiosity, did you do the CSAP program and what did you end up pivoting to afterwards?
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