Today we explore what to do when you’re stuck at a career crossroads between being technically valuable and managerial or leadership valuable. How to consider the tradeoffs.

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SHOW NOTES:

I BROKE INTO THE INDUSTRY THROUGH A TECHNOLOGY TRACK, BUT I BROUGHT MORE TO THE TABLE

Lots of people reach a crossroads when they decide to move from technically-focused to manager-focused.
They often struggle because their identity of technical skills feels like it’s slipping away, and they aren’t sure of their identity.
Being a manager can often be unsatisfying and some people want to go back to the technology path.

NOW I’M FINDING THAT I’M GOOD AT MANAGING, BUT I DON’T KNOW IF IT BRINGS ME JOY

Gain an understanding of the career ladders for both a technical path and a managerial path (or other paths in between).
Try and determine what it’ll take to get to several levels higher than you are today (extra schooling, extra certifications, developer technical skills, travel, etc.)
Make a list of the things that are most important to you, and what you’re OK with not prioritizing as a negative. (Location, Salary, Opportunity, Title, Job Risk, etc.)
Figure out what parts of the current path don’t motivate you. Can a mentor help? Can you offset that with enjoyment from other parts of the role?
Sometimes you need to leave a specific job/company, but do that with the “next job” in mind (not the “move job”)
Early in your career you’ll move jobs for opportunity/money/title, but unknown managers. Later in your career you’ll move to work with specific people. Find those people.

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