Data Science to TPM (technical program manager) worth it?
I'm currently a Data Scientist with experience from Google and recently I wanted to try something different. I was thinking trying to transition to either a Data Science Manager or TPM (technical program manager) role. The reason why is because as my day to day function I spend too much time in the nitty gritty and help incrementally improve functions or work on models that help with decision making. I'm not in a research data science team which might help with improving the newest and latest algorithm, but I've been always close with backend eng and product. So my question to blind is, is a change like this good for my career growth or am I making the wrong move because I think TPM might help me with working more cross-functionally with scale and help even with my bigger system design skill beyond data products. Or is TPM really just a PgM with no real solid growth path? Thanks!
Why not try for an sdm role? You get to keep your tech skills and learn some people skills along the way. TPM scope can very very fluid.
Well I think that one is because SDM role is too big of a gap (more accurately my lack of experience) in terms of the companies in trying to apply to. TPM seems to be a much easier transition but would like to try out SDM someday. I've seen TPM to SDM transition many times in Amazon but really haven't seen much in Google and didn't know how other companies feel about TPMs. With the DS craze I was curious if it was stupid of me to leave the path but at the same time I don't want to compete with crazy PhD resume DS to move up the IC ladder. It's one thing to be a senior vs a principal level especially at Google.
TPM is all about influencing and communicating. If that jives with you then give it a go. Remember TPMs get shit first when things go south.
If you’re coming in at an experienced level, TPM can be more than project management. Happy to share more of you want to PM me.
Do you mean Product Management? If you mean TPM then you may not like being a project manager after your data science experience.
I meant technical program manager, updated the question. Why do you say I might not like it?
Technical program manager is project manager for technical projects. Lot of dependency tracking, team coordination, timelines and more. Product Management is where you will use your data science skills to come up with new features and vision etc