I started at Comcast as Software Eng 2 right out of school on a non-SWE-focused team 4 years ago. I reorged onto a team with a similar focus 2 years ago. Both teams had a single other developer, and neither has really been able to mentor me like I would've liked. On both teams, there's been more scripting and menial tasks than actual interesting development work on any sort of complex project--I've learned a bit, but not nearly as much as I should have in 4 years. I still think the company is a good place to work, and based on the experiences of friends who have had interesting work, learned, and advanced, I just feel like I'm on the wrong team. I've had a few promising opportunities internally that dragged out and then fell through. I finally decided to start looking for jobs externally, but it's hard to sift through all the recruiter emails on LinkedIn. They see four years experience and a bunch of buzzwords and offer me senior roles that focus on some technology I barely used on a project three years ago. After four years, it would be nice not to take an entry-level role, but I don't know if I'm actually experienced enough to take on anything beyond that. I think I'd be fine with a junior role as long as I didn't have to take a pay cut, but I don't know how realistic that is. (I'm making ~100K, and with bonus, stock, and 401K matching, it's more like 115-120.) Does anyone have any advice for places to look outside Comcast, or ways to get onto a better team within the company?
I feel the same way I started eng 1 and have been eng 2 for 4 years and decided it was time to go. Ive failed a few interviews but am still trying. I wish I had started looking 2-3 years ago. I’d focus on big companies and go for a mid level(right above new grad role). For internal teams I think some of it depends on your manager/team/department. You could apply on the internal job board or if you know of a team you could ask around but I had little success transferring internally.
What was your eng 2 starting salary
I was in a similar position. Don’t get frustrated OP. In those 4 years you would have figured out a domain in which you will be more interested in working. Focus on that. Prepare for those specific roles. Then while interviewing say that you were given a multitude of roles and was not able to focus on one domain and hence you are looking for a more stable role. If they down level you , it’s fine. Take it and learn In the new place and jump or try to get promoted there.