Thread by @Geek_Manager

Latest in the “moving into tech leadership and/or management” subtheme here today at #LeadDevSanFrancisco is “Becoming a Manager Somewhere Else” from @mybluewristband

“Not all the advice provided in this talk will definitely work for you, as it’s my own story”

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco

Jenn’s Career Trajectory:
- civil engineer
- mechanical engineer
- structural engineer
- customer support (to get foot in the door of tech)
- web developer (~5 years)
- software engineer (again. Another 3 yrs)
- moving towards management

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco

“It took 6 months from being laid off to day one in my new job … so the privilege of financial stability was really important”

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco

Weighing options of management:
- product mgmt
- project mgmt
- technical program mgmt
- engineering mgmt

2 chats x 2 people x role

Insight into roles and interviews for those roles

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco

Things Learned:
- write your own questions (from convos & interviews)
- ensure you have (multiple) concrete examples for your answers
- reuse if necessary
- consider both +ve & -ve experiences
- drive the interview

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco

“I realised early that product management was not for me. Product managers are apparently all about risk. And I … am not.”

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco

Keep copious notes of your experiences.

Per project:
- company
- list of team members
- timeline
- success metrics
- difficulties faced
- my involvement
- my impact

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco

“Then I started to categorise the skills I have and the skills needed for each role.

‘Embrace the questions:
Am I what they’re looking for?
Do I agree with what they’re looking for?’

Prep role-specific resumes”

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco

“Ask for the roles & projects that emphasise the skills you don’t yet have — but make sure you work with your manager. Ask for opportunities but also for training”

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco

“Sometimes you can get opportunity without asking … or just asking for forgiveness”

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco

“Now 2 years into being an Engineering Manager, some

Cons
- no typical day
- measuring your own success
- context switching
- dropped into “trouble” team
- many more gray hairs”

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco

“Engineering Management Pros:
- cool stuff in the mail (@lara_hogan’s Resilient Manager)
- building an entire team
- promoting people
- learning from, collaborating across company
- solving integrated teams problems
- setting meal budgets”

@mybluewristband #LeadDevSanFrancisco