Advice needed: Transition from SWE->Technical PM
Hi all,
Background: I have about 9 years experience in the industry as a SWE working on codecs, gpu, display, HW bring up - mostly low level drivers and kernel. At this point, I think I’m losing interest in being a SW engineer. Several reasons- unable to keep up with LC-grinding for each job change, enjoy collaborating across teams and finding solutions but do not like coding, enjoy debugging and digging through code but severely lacking in my abilities as a coder and hence finding it hard to progress in career. Everytime I’m told to go code, I get severely anxious lol.
Now, I’m not suggesting a Technical PM job is easier but based on my interactions and conversations with other TPMs, I have a hunch I might enjoy the role better. It used to bother me that devs look down up TPMs and I stayed away from exploring TPM roles. But what’s the point if I’m anyway looked down upon as a dev? Lol.
I’m looking to apply externally for a Tech PM role as I do not want to be in the same level and comp.
As for prep: I have started to look at the commonly cited resources here like exponent, prepfully, engineerseekingfire. I’m yet to start writing my resume or read system design or anything but please don’t all of y’all scream at me.
My ask: Anyone else who has been an SWE for sometime and transitioned to a Technical PM role? Could you give me some tips on how to prepare and how do I go about applying? Can anyone be my mentor?
YoE: 9(5 as a low-level coder + 4 as a SWE)
TC: <insert Msft L62 average comp>
comments
Your engineering is easily transferrable to a PM role. Plus you work at Microsoft. So you will not have a problem getting interviews.
Maybe get a product program under your belt. Reforge is the best program out there.