I am a senior who will be graduating college next year and I am trying to decide between a software engineering role at Qualcomm and an associate product manager role at Capital One's Product Development Program. For the Qualcomm role, I will be working with the modem software team to apply machine learning algorithms to optimize modem processes. I do not know what team I will be joining at Capital One since it is a rotational program. My long term goals are to pursue my own start-up, join a startup in a high impact role that involves both engineering or product, or become a technical product manager at FAANG or similar tech companies. Pros and cons of each: QUALCOMM Pros 1. More exciting work. My potential manager said that the team is working with cutting edge machine learning technology, patented work, etc. Plus, I feel like ML and AI are hot topics right now in the tech startup ecosystem, so having some ML background may be beneficial if I want to join some startup working in that domain. I will definitely grow as an engineer in this role. 2. Excellent compensation package at 100k base, 25k sign-on, 10k relocation, 13k/yr RSUs, 10k retention bonus. Not as impressive compared to FAANG salaries but it will still feel weird turning down this money. Cons 1. If I start off as an engineer, it may be difficult for me to transfer to product management. I asked my manager how difficult it would be for me to try out PM at Qualcomm and he said it would be like applying to an entirely separate organization since his team is an engineering focused-team. I will definitely grow a lot as an engineer, but if I want to develop those leadership and collaboration skills for me to be an effective startup leader, I may not find that at Qualcomm. 2. Progression. Looking at my colleagues' profiles, it seems like most of them have master's and PhD degrees in ML, EE, CS, etc. I definitely know I won't be doing a PhD, and I am still contemplating on whether I should do a master's in engineering. Based on my performance in school, I know I won't be a hotshot engineer, which is why I have started looking into product management and am considering an MBA in the future. I think a mix of engineering and business background will propel me further in my career than if I just stayed a pure engineer. So I am concerned I won't be promoted as quickly as my colleagues given this. 3. Distance. My family lives on the east coast and this position is in San Diego. I asked my manager if it would be possible to work remotely for 2-3 weeks for several (4-5) times a year (i.e. during Christmas, Mother's/Father's Days, birthdays, etc.) but it doesn't sound like he wants this to happen too often. He did say he would be flexible on this during holiday seasons and summer, but that's it. I won't have as much of a problem with distance if the job is really worth it (eng/PM job at FAANG or a high growth pre-IPO startup), but I don't think Qualcomm is worth the distance. CAPITAL ONE Pros 1. Flexibility. Since it is a rotational program, if I find that I don't like product management as much as I had thought, I can apply to join their technology development program (TDP) for my second rotation. 2. Location. I am considering their offices in McLean, VA or Wilmington, DE, which will make visiting home less of a hassle. Cons 1. I am concerned their product program may not have as much of a technical focus since on LinkedIn I see a bunch of business and psychology majors in the program. I don't want to lose my technical edge or become rusty in my technical skills when it comes time for me to apply for FAANG or tech startup jobs in the future. However, they do send out a form for new hires to indicate if they want a more customer-facing or a more technical role, which is a relief. 2. I am not as enthusiastic about the pay (87k base/9k sign-on/1.5k relo at Wilmington and 96k base/same sign-on and relo at McLean. No RSUs.) as I am about Qualcomm's pay. But honestly, I think the difference would be marginal, as plane tickets would be expensive coming from San Diego to the east coast, and San Diego has a high cost of living. Given my career goals and what I believe each position has to offer, I would love to hear people's thoughts on this. #softwareengineer #productmanagement
I would also comment that you should read the fine print carefully. I think the capital one “sign-on” is actually net of taxes and not gross. I know this is marginal, but the gross would be around 15k which is closer to you’re other offer.
Yes, the recruiter also highlighted this to me too, but at this point, I am not as concerned about the money than I am about the fact that many people here think that PDP at Capital One is career suicide given my technical background and would bar me from going back to tech in the future. Which is a shame because I had wanted to explore product management, but all these comments about the program is making me second guess myself. I guess if I don't like it I can transfer to TDP.
It's not easy to switch rotational programs at C1. It's a rotational program which means you can rotate to a different job within the same job family. You can't rotate from one program to another program.
I have seen people on LinkedIn who looked like they switched to a different program, and my recruiter said I could apply to TDP after 1 year. Did my recruiter lie?
You can apply, but it doesn't mean they will approve it. I just don't want you to get your hopes up thinking it's easy to switch from product to engineering after one year in the program. I know someone who got denied and had to transfer to product after he graduated the program and apply for an internal transfer.
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If you do well, you’re guaranteed a promotion and your second year Tc at C1 will be 100k+ for Wilmington and 115ish for McLean
Being at C1 Product Owners are a dime a dozen at C1. Rarely do any of them know enough about technology, but many of them can’t communicate the technical problems/obstacles/benefits. You’re better off in starting in technology and knowing what you’re doing and then pivoting into product. But if you were telling Me it was FB now Meta Associate Product Manager rotational program I’d say take that. Ultimately C1s quality is lackluster in the space.
They’re talking about PM and not POs. The APM program is a lot different!