For those who have made it to Senior (terminal level) at FAANG, if you want to grow TC, which path has the highest expected return: IC vs Management? For IC path, you try to get to Staff/Principal maybe Fellow. What's the probability you will make it out of Senior? I also assume that it's gets increasingly harder and the headcount for >Senior positions are small. For management path (like a technical management position) is it better? I can see that an organization will have more managers than >senior IC, is this true? Also because you are manager and don't specialize like if you pursue IC path, does it make it easier for you to switch companies and keep growing TC? Let's discuss, focusing on: - Which path has higher probability of success - Which path has higher TC growth - Which path had better exit options and better job prospects.
For me its Senior ——> Graveyard Getting it to L7 is impossible here for me!
Management is easier
1. Cannot be generalized. Either you'll do well as an IC or as Manager. It varies from individual to individual. 2. Common sense tells, managers make more money. But people in tech tell that ICs earn more than their managers. I'm interested to know this as well. 3. Personally, IC. Simple math. For every manager there at least two IC.
Are you saving for levels below senior, say principal, there are more principal ICs than principal managers? Also TC wise shouldn't managers be earn one level above the TC equivalent?
That's what I read in forums like https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17384564 I'd like to know if it's fact. I don't have first hand information.
I got from SDE III to principle in 2.5 years. Not that difficult
1. Probability of staff/principal increases as you gain experience across a greater number of companies. Rarely have I seen someone work their way to senior and beyond at the same company. As they say, “A prophet has no honor in his home town”. Typically the promo processes have higher bars than a new hire, and often there are artificial HR limits to growth (minimum time in level/grade). 2. Management is probably the easiest option between the two, especially if you’re in a fast growing company. You can either try to climb the ladder or let the ladder grow beneath you. 3. Management often starts at lower levels than Staff/Principal but has a higher ceiling if you’re successful. 4. There are better exit options as a manager. It is a more transferable skill to other industries, but this does not necessarily mean greater TC outside of tech.
Stay technical. Scholar ly work starts mattering even if it directly doesn't show in the criterion. Staff and above tend to look at recordable work, papers parents public code , industry panels and of course contribution to company. Learn to package your work and make it impact the CEO/director etc. Also find an alliance with a powerful manager or a raising executive. You help him look smart he helps you get ahead.
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