Abstract
As software engineers advance in their careers, we are often faced with the choice between remaining an individual contributor or transitioning to a people leadership role. This decision can be challenging and complex, as both paths offer unique benefits and challenges. Personally, I've had to decide between the individual contributor path or the management path several times.
In this talk, I'll explain the factors I considered when making these decisions, including weighing my personal strengths and interests, organizational opportunities, and the impact on my career growth and satisfaction. I'll also talk about strategies for successfully navigating the transition to either role, and how to thrive once you have made your choice. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how to evaluate their options and make informed decisions for their career trajectory.
Topics
QCon New York 2023 is a three day conference for senior software engineers, architects and team leads. An international program committee of working engineers selects every session. Patterns and practices, not products and pitches.
Part of the track
Staff+ Engineering: New Skills, New Challenges Hosted by Leslie Chapman Engineering Fellow @ComcastFrom the same track
Tuesday 13 June
10:35 Salon D Session The Decision Buy-In Algorithm John Riviello Engineering Fellow @Comcast and @Google Developer Expert Making large, important technical decisions is a critical aspect of a senior individual contributor's role. With the wide impact these decisions can have, it is essential to make the correct decision. 11:50 Salon D Session Staff Plus Engineering Growing Others to Grow Yourself Audrey Troutt CTO @Tomo The best way to grow in your career is to help others grow as well. This is true when you are going from engineer to senior engineer, or if you are a senior engineer growing into a principal or tech lead. 13:40 Carroll Gardens Unconference Unconference: Staff+ Engineering Ben Linders Independent Consultant in Agile, Lean, Quality and Continuous Improvement What is an unconference? An unconference is a participant-driven meeting. Attendees come together, bringing their challenges and relying on the experience and know-how of their peers for solutions. 14:55 Salon D Session Staff Plus Engineering The Creative Act: How Staff+ Is More Art Than Science David Grizzanti Principal Engineer @nytimes Achieving a Staff+ role is a huge achievement and something many engineers seek as the next step in their career growth. All Staff+ roles are not the same and exactly what your role entails can sometimes be a bit murky, to say the least. 16:10 Salon D Session Engineering Making the Decision To Be an Individual Contributor or a People Leader Michael Winslow Engineering Director @Amazon Music As software engineers advance in their careers, we are often faced with the choice between remaining an individual contributor or transitioning to a people leadership role. This decision can be challenging and complex, as both paths offer unique benefits and challenges. 17:25 Salon D Panel Panel: Staff+ Engineering - New Skills, New Challenges Michael Winslow, David Grizzanti, Audrey Troutt, Stacy Kirk As you progress in your career, your technical skills will still be important, but you will also need to develop new skills in leadership, communication, and strategic thinking. This panel will provide practical advice on how to succeed in this role.