Switching out of core tech
I have been an engineer for 15 years now. I have worked at large companies, small companies and startups. I reached L66 at Msft 2 years ago but I feel I don't enjoy coding that much anymore. Even as a L66, between managing partner teams, designing and leading projects with other team members, I do end up spending 50% of my time coding. I feel I want to transition to management fully and have more experience in people and project management. But while there have been a 2-3 openings in my teams over the past 15 years, I have always been the second senior-most person to take the job and have never gotten it. I am wondering if I should switch out of tech companies and go to other companies like Starbucks etc for a managerial role and get promoted there as a manager. I fear that: a) I won't be able to come back to tech if I want to (I don't know if I will) b) I am taking a step-down c) Even tho I am not looking for million dollar payouts, I will be stuck with $150K jobs. I guess my question is, if anyone has experienced this: 1) How true are my fears? 2) What else have I not considered? 3) If you have done it, was it worth it? YOE: 15 TC: 450
Why not go for something like product management if that interests you ? Sure it doesn't mean being people manager or in general a management but it sure will pay better than non tech jobs and will not involve technical work/coding. The transition to and fro would be relatively easier too.
I have thought about that and am looking at those jobs too. The out-of-tech-manager role was another track I was debating in parallel.