Submitted by yeetman on
in
Forums
I currently work as an IC/ engineer in a FAANG. Im wondering about in terms of long term career advancement, what it the best route to take. Should I try to do a MBA and then come back as some sort of PM, should i try to get a promo to an Engineering Manager? Should I continue down the IC track? The latter, im not really feeling and want some change. Anyone had any similar exp and want to share?
Thanks!
Why do you want to be a manager?
What don’t you like about being an individual contributor? Have you asked your manager for more responsibility and delivered on commitments? Are there opportunities to lead a team, work with customers or move around to a different department?
I’ve only worked a small company (40 people) where the only chance for promotion is when the company grows or there is an organisation reshuffle. I became a manager because my manager got too busy to manage my coworkers and now everything passes through me. I didn’t ask to be a manager, it just happened one day.
Promotion paradox
In my limited experience, large companies tend to suffer from two contradicting pressures:
- too many people want to get promoted compared to the limited number of opportunities, and at the same time
- too few people are ready to be promoted into any of the open positions.
Specifically, think of the 150% rule - you need to do your job 100% and your manager's job 50%, in order to get promoted into his role.
The MBA may help, and may even be mandatory in certain industries, but there are more effective ways to earn a promotion. Results and relationships come to mind. :)
MBA is a plus and sometimes
MBA is a plus and sometimes one of the job requirements for a higher level. But with other companies, this is not mandatory for a promotion, work experience is a lot important or given more points.