Bay Area FB EA looking to change for higher comp
I've been an EA at Meta (fb) for 5 years, support a VP and my TC is around $140k but I work A LOT of overtime. My base is only $100k. I've started looking elsewhere and a lot of startups are paying WAY MORE. I have 2 who are offering over 170+ base pay. The thing is I don't want to be an admin anymore and I'm struggling deciding what to do. I always thought I could move around at Meta and become a program manager or another job but it's not as easy as they say it is. Now I see if I leave I can get paid WAY more but would still do the admin job. I work A LOT. and I mean A LOT. I don't find joy in this job and my team is becoming toxic. I'm scared If I go to a start up, although getting paid a lot, I'm going to be living a start up admin life non stop 24/7. For bay area EAs with 5-10yrs + experience working for FAANG what are you finding out there for compensation ? Also have any of you ever successfully transfered from an EA to a different role? #meta #google ##executiveassistant #admin #apple #startup
Take a few months off Try some place like Google which might pay slightly less but will be way more chill Don't go to a startup - you'll be working 24/7
Google pays more too.. I feel like everyone pays more than meta
I'm not in an EA role. But this is what I'm going to say about switching roles, it applies almost all roles in tech. You are going to take on the risks and even take a pay cut in the short term. The fact that you worried this much will make it very difficult to switch role, even if you do, highly unlikely to succeed in the long term. Another key thing is try to take on additional responsibilities without being officially in the role. For example, if there is a program management task in the org, take it. Lastly, based on what you told, switch the job. Try a new company, see how things are done differently. Start ups generally have roles that you can wear multiple hats. Talk to the executive you are supporting, you have to let them know you are interested in a different role in the long term, ask them to help you get there. Of course, you may or may not like other roles once you are in the role. Be prepared for it. Learn this new role, get the skills needed for it. For example, your program management skills can be learned in an EA role. Working with different teams, coordination, planning, communications etc.
Thanks for this. Ive told each of my leaders that I want to expand outside this role. They both supported me but the last one was more serious. I actually proposed a job for myself and he loved it, said yes, opened a PID and got HC for it and then 6 months later decided it wasn't a top priority and gave it away. I have done sooo many extra things, killing myself getting on extra projects putting on my psc every time that I want to do program management (ya I might hate that too but it at least expands my choices) None of it mattered. Our org is super fast paced and re orging constantly. There are roles then they're gone. I feel like I've had a carrot dangling in front of me for at least 3 years. Yes at start ups I feel like there's more Opportunity, but it means I start over as an EA. and I need to do that job well, first. And I was willing to take a paycut at Meta for a different role. But leaving meta and trying to become a program manager in a small company based on my meta experience... I won't even be able to afford rent. It's just very disheartening . When u work for a VP and high up leadership team, unless they're truly special - they ve got bigger things on their mind than their EAs career track.. and the pandemic certainly didn't help with networking with other teams the past 2 years. I'm just so fucking exhausted. Don't get me wrong, I can do this job, and do it well. But I wasn't made for it. It doesn't come naturally, I have to put in so much effort to keep up bc doing a thousand things at once isn't my forte. Doing one project and sinking my teeth into it is where I excel .. but im just at a loss
I started 13 years ago as an EA/PA/OM at a pre Series A tech start up. I learned so much, and as we grew I was able to shed hats and carve my own path. When it’s small you touch EVERYTHING. I lead the series A with my CEO. I ran the due diligence, the data room, etc. you’d never touch that at a later funding stage (series C for example). You might have to take a pay cut, but starting back at the bottom doing something you’re good at would help. Plus, they can be more generous with bonuses and benefits, to cover a delta.
Interesting! The start up I'm looking at is already in series c. I was thinking that was still small enough to be able to make moves within the company as it expands (and its expanding quickly) Id be one of 2 EAs and supporting the co founder. I know it's gonna be a shit ton of work in the beginning but I feel like if I'm there at this time it could have a lot of opportunities . But good to note u think it's better on even the earlier stages !
Also what is your job now?
You are underpaid and I think it’s criminal that Meta makes their EAs hourly (one reason I turned down to interview there)
I am an EA at Meta and love that EAs are paid hourly. We are reimbursed for the many overtime hours we work. In the Bay Area, that extra money is appreciated.
Why don't you look into the Admin Programs at least to get the experience and them make the change to a junior PM into a different org.