QE at Apple or SWE at Trend Micro
Recently got 2 offers one from Apple for QE and one from Trend Micro for SWE. Not sure which one to take. I want to be a SWE long term so Trend Micro is a pretty safe option But having Apple on my resume post grad would be pretty nice and I can try and switch to another team to be a SWE after a year What Should I do? Take Trend Micro as SWE with lower salary or be a QE at Apple? Apple Offer: Title: Quality Engineer Base: $118K USD ~ $160K CAD Stocks: Don't know yet Bonus: Don't know yet Location: Boulder, Colorado Trend Micro: Title: Software Developer Base: $94k CAD Bonus: $2.5k CAD Location: Ottawa, Canada Current TC: đ„ YoE: 0 years
Apple then apply to transition to SWE in 1-2 yrs given you have good performance
That is what I am thinking but just not sure how "common" the switch is
TrendMicro. It wonât be so easy (impossible?) to transfer to SWE from QE. The standard is way higher, and keep in mind, no one wants to be QE.
If I have multiple SWE internships at FAANG would it still be difficult? I am asking because I genuinely don't know how hard the switch is
Take the apple offer. Professionally youâll need to develop your software skills on your own time. Make scripts to automate, learn leet code..etc. The reason why I say take the apple offer isnât for your skills. Itâs for financial slack. 90k goes nowhere in Toronto. Higher taxes, real estate, col. Colorado is cheaper in comparison. You make USD, apple has high refreshers and ICT2 make shitton of OT. Expect around 180 or 190k TC. Convert that to CAD, and save 40% per year youâd be a millionaire in 7 years if If invested and market does well. The financial freedom at your age is a no brainer. Reassess SWE after youâre rich.
Yeah, I totally get where you're coming from Thats why I wanted to take the QE offer but I didn't want to limit my future earnings because of this decision
Please keep interviewing for SWE roles. Donât fall for this and create uphill battle for you unless there is pressing reason.
I would suggest the Apple. Trend is doing cost review, everything is going weird
Join Apple otherwise you will regret later
I donât recommend Trend Micro, donât join. Itâs a legacy company with outdated tech stacks and slow processes, itâs impossible to get promoted here as an engineer. The TC is low below market rate, not everybody gets raises each year. The WLB is team dependent, there are teams where the main focus isnât development even if your title is âsoftware engineerâ
Please donât accept QE career you will regret it later unless there is some pressing concern ( other than name brand of Apple). Most companies have eliminated that role. You may have trouble finding another job.
Wouldn't Apple allow me to switch internally to a SWE role if I have a previous SWE internship with them?
Please donât fall for that. It will be a task. Some people convert but when you are in full time capacity in a certain role you will not be able to convert that easily. If you convert in the same team they will mostly giving you qa work since they will look at you from QA lens.