15 years experience at Google, Amazon, Microsoft as PM, TPM, SWE. On my way to FIRE. AMA
A few words about me:
- Worked at Google, Amazon and Microsoft as Product Manager, Technical Program Manager and Software Engineer for ~15 years
- MBA from M7 program
- Blogging about tech careers, personal finance and my path to FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) at https://EngineerSeekingFIRE.com
Ask me about:
- Differences between the big tech companies
- Differences between PM, TPM and SWE and how to transition from one to the other
- Interview preparation advice
- MBA (profile evaluations, suggestions for programs, application preparation, what I’ve learned, etc)
- FIRE and personal finance
- Blogging and my blog
- Anything else that interests you :)
If you want to connect with me, my social media handles are:
- Twitter: @EngSeekingFIRE
- Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest: @EngineerSeekingFIRE
UPDATE: This AMA is now closed. However, if more new questions (ie different than what was asked before) are posted, I will do my best to answer them in a timely manner.
I wanted to thank everybody, who participated in this discussion. Hopefully you found my answers helpful.
Engineer Seeking FIRE
comments
I can’t claim to be FIRE since I’m in my 50’s - although I did essentially do a mid career retirement to spend more time with kids, before returning to work.
Biggest issue now is convincing my spouse we have enough to stop working. ($4M net assets plus content with lowish-budget life style.) The older you are, the riskier the extended forecast looks... Plus going back to work if things don’t work out is harder in your 60’s than in your 40’s or even in your 50’s.
Good luck!
Here are my top 3 skills to obtain:
1. Become technical: I think that being technical helps. This does not meet that you should learn how to code or to do design reviews. Instead, you should understand the competitive landscape and understand how to talk to developers. In the majority of your meetings you might be the only non-developer. You should be able to understand what they are talking about and not twiddle your fingers. Don't afraid to speak up
2. Learn how to talk to customers: As a PMM you're doing outbound marketing, whereas the PM is doing inbound work. You will need to learn from customers and understand their business needs. Then you'll have to be able to translate those needs to your developers, so that they can develop the best product.
3. Be the driver of your product: Most PMMs are not involved in product development. Instead, they are handed a product and they need to find the best way to take it to market. As a PM, you'll have to define the vision, bring new ideas to the table, sell them to execs and to your team, etc. You'll need to become a leader without any formal authority, since nobody will report to you.
PS: I have 3+ swe experience and got rejected for TPM by HC at Google for low / no relevant experience
TPMs are Technical Program Managers, so they own the timelines, project plan, communications, etc.