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Choosing Management: A programmer at the crossroads

Maria Gutierrez
May 12, 2014
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Choosing Management: A programmer at the crossroads

“Should I become a manager? Do I want to be a manager?” Experienced engineers are often confronted by this important decision at some point in their careers.

Your organisation believes you have the right qualities for the job, but is it really the right choice for you and your team? Now that you have the experience and the domain knowledge, is management the next, natural step in your career path? Is it the right way upwards? Is it a permanent decision?

I’ve twice faced this dilemma during my career. The first time I didn’t feel it was the right move for me, but the second time I very consciously accepted. In this talk I will cover the reasoning behind these decisions, the lessons and pitfalls that I’ve discovered transitioning from a lead engineer to an engineering management role, and what it might mean for my future.

Maria Gutierrez

May 12, 2014
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Transcript

  1. Don’t you miss coding? I’m a crafter, I like to

    build things from scratch @mariagutierrez https://flic.kr/p/9Kkvve
  2. ✔ experienced engineer ✔ deliver reliably ✔ knowledgeable of the

    technology ✔ knowledgeable of the domain @mariagutierrez
  3. ✔ a manager leaves ✔ the team grows ✔ your

    manager’s role expands @mariagutierrez
  4. Will I be able to get a job as an

    engineer again? @mariagutierrez
  5. ✔ timely deliver great products ✔ invest in the team

    ✔ create a safe environment ✔ use company budget responsibly @mariagutierrez
  6. ✔ keep true to my values ✔ be available ✔

    be organized ✔ communicate @mariagutierrez