I’m an Associate Partner at IBM, hoping to make Partner in next 1.5-2yrs. I’m a high performer and grew from Consultant (Band 6) to Associate Partner (Band 10) in 6.5yrs, so was able to progress through each band in ~1.5yrs on average. Most days I love my job. Great team, exciting work, amazing WLB, decent comp. Other days I wonder if I am making the most of my potential, in terms of comp and complexity of my job. What should be my next move? Considering Product Management roles at Big Tech or a move to MBB via MBA or referral. TC: $250-300k YoE: 7yrs
DM if you can refer me IBM
DM me with the ReqID
I feel like at this level, if you're asking for advice here you may not be ready to move up 🤷♂️
Note that's more specific to your desire to make partner within that timeframe, not choosing a function
I don’t get your point. You think Executives should never ask for career advice? lol. Never hurts to get different perspectives. Not like I would blindly follow advices on blind. ;)
AP in 6.5 yrs?? Impressive!!
Thanks man!
You sound like someone with enormous talent and potential. Move. You have so much more you can accomplish in your career, MBB or better yet, Big Tech.
Yes. But at the same time consider that in this short time you have made good connections at IBM, ones which might be difficult to make elsewhere. These existing relationships will also pay off tremendously and have a multiplicative effect on your future success at IBM. That said, don't also fall prey to sunk cost/opportunity loss fallacy, since 6.5 yrs is not such a long time. You are the only one who can make the right tradeoff.
7 yrs is minuscule in a 40 yr career. Changing roles and companies gives many more opportunities for network expansion. Once must see how the world outside IBM works. It also sounds like stagnation is already setting in with the client, product roadmap work etc. It all comes down to how ambitious OP is and what the longer term goals are.
You have invested a lot at IBM. You may just continue and get that partner status. Sure, you can potentially make more money elsewhere but that’s a new environment which will come with its uncertainties. Think about these questions: are you looking to move because of money or you are just bored with what you do? Can you get what you want within IBM or it’s only possible if you move?
This
this is so impressive! It seems like you thrive in a fast paced environment which is why i would say MBB— Big Tech is a bubble right now and its always going to be there.
Thank you!
Dont bet on comp. Bet on passion, the comp will follow
7 yrs is not a lot. Many people are leaving - I see status updates on LinkedIn - good byes / “moving to my next chapter” posts everyday. There is a very big world out there for smart talented high potential people. Don’t get caught up in the stagnation of IBM. The promotion to partner process is brutal and unlike any other company. IBM specializes in this cruel hazing process. I’ve seen grown men cry after being rejected for partner at IBM. It scarred them for life. Save yourself that. Go someplace where you can spread your wings.
very impressive on the speed of movement so far. That is pretty amazing and obviously very fast paced through the bands. Just know, that when they say making partner is like restarting your career here they mean it. Many people make partner very quickly and never move up to SP, and even more make SP and never move to MP. I'd strongly suggest talking with some at band D, C, and B to really understand how the career trajectory changes. Feel free to DM
That’s great advice thank you!
Working Parents
14h
1086
Closed now - thank you all
Working Parents
Yesterday
940
What do you think is wrong with a kid who got rejected by 9 colleges?
Tech Industry
Yesterday
2247
The end of Backdoor Roth?!
India
Yesterday
996
Modi is a legend, will be remembered for centuries to come
Tech Industry
Yesterday
1629
Is life really better in the US?
What is it exactly that you do on a daily basis?
I lead a large scaled agile team - 17 Scrum Teams, about 300+ practitioners, i.e. Designers, Product Managers, ScrumMasters, Devs, QA etc. I started this team from scratch with less than 10 people and grew it to this size in 3.5yrs. The team now is pretty mature so most of my time currently is spent more on Product Strategy, Product Roadmapping for the client’s next 5yr roadmap and then eventually launching these products under my existing team or scaling with new teams.
Scaled agile? People still do that? 😳 Do you work for a government customer or something?