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Life after engineering

Life after engineering- Grapevine

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[Background] 25. M. I'm a mechanical engineer and realized early during college that I'm not cut out for mechanical engineering domain. Switched to analytics domain right after college. 

[Current Experience] 4 YOE in an analytics firm based out of India catering to 2 major Fortune 100 companies. Leading a 10 member analytics team, directly responsible for problem solving, solution design, stake holder management etc. 

[Thoughts] Loved being an IC during early stage of career. Found it interesting to get into the rabbit hole of designing solutions and executing the solutions. 

Off late, really like being a lead and focusing on multiple problems at the same time. Little far for executing the solutions, bu focusing of understanding the porblem and designing solutions and letting the team execute it.

Right now, confused about what I want to do next. 

[Request] Thinking of pursing a MS(DS/ML) or MBA(Analytics) for more exposure. Thoughts or suggestion welcomed.

Suggestion about MS or MBA

Data Scientist

Welcome to Software Engineers's Private Community

So basically it all started out with my curiosity and me being good at maths and solving analytical and logical problems. Even though I like it doesn’t mean I should be used to do it for like everyday to get paid I mean like my brain literally feels like a 8-core CPU who is constantly working and throttling at 50-80% CPU usage to solve and understand problems that are not mine. Also it’s like I am a computing engine with a life of 20-30 years and completely replaceable with other computing engines like me, they can be better or worse than me I m not gonna be the judge for that. So I feel like I don’t think my life’s goal was to become a computing engine for someone else. This is a recent thought of mine, what do you guys think of it ?

My Life After Being A Backend Engineer

Software Engineer

Welcome to Product Managers's Private Community

Sharing some reflections on this:

1. Product is not a function with a large hierarchy / multiple levels in the ladder. Managerial responsibility comes in very late in the product career and the spans are typically small (relative to other functions like engineering, sales, operations). This also means a steeper funnel to the top and only a handful VP Product roles in the industry.

2. Product is centered around technology and digital consumer trends, both of which are fast changing. This requires constant unlearning and relearning. But more critically, this also means that previous knowledge/experience hits a plateau on marginal value beyond a basic threshold (where you have developed some essential product semse and skills).

3. Product managers are also much higher-paid vs other functional peers, at comparable years of experience. This means that a PM gets to a very high salary (say, 1+ crore) by the age of 40 (15-20y into their career). Tech functions in non-tech companies (like FMCG, banking) cannot offer that kind of pay, meaning salary growth beyond a point is limited to tech-first companies / limiting addressable market for lateral moves.

All of these considererd, how should PMs think about the longevity of their careers? Unlike traditional roles, this does not seem like a "retire at 60" job. What would be the realistic age one should plan for, at which career growth and salary growth will stagnate? What are ways in which a 80%ile PM can extend their career (eg: also taking up engineering management or P&L responsibility or growth function etc., to increase scope)?

PS: this post is not for the top 5-10% PMs. They will always find roles at VP level etc, this is for the 50-90%ile bucket of PM talent.

Longevity of a product career

Will commend you on a very well written and well articulated post. 
  
 Options for the future will be apparent at ~40.  Most peak roles will be achieved between 45-50. 
  
 Possible exits: 
  
 1. Running Category roles at companies which have a broad canvas, multiple product categories. 
 2. Deputing for and eventually running a P&L or a LoB. 
 3. Sales or more critically Customer Success.  Don't shy away from revenue responsibilities. 
  
 Engineering is a sharp left turn imo.  It's not an overlapping skillset at best and don't see how that is part of a PMs likely roadmap.

Sales Manager

Investor

Hi Everyone,
I'm trying for a job in bangalore for over 6 months now, was suffering from anxiety attacks so started taking medicine. People laid off way later than me have started with their new jobs and are happy yet I'm still struggling here looking for a job, they are getting hikes and I'm just looking to get hired.
Is it time that I should give up engineering and pursue other domains??
Because Engineering used to excite me and how my luck has treated me and how much unnecessary problems I'm facing, I'm doubting if I should give up now.

I want to know the honest opinion. I ve been upskilling and coding , but not getting any interview

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17QsEHqFySTsYyu7ML_sNpykeWuHNFsPk/view?usp=sharing

my resume

When should I give up Software Engineering

Welcome to Indian Startups's Private Community

During my B.Tech, I balanced my studies with active participation in clubs and committees, and also engaged in sports and exploration. Aspiring for a non-core placement, I didn't participate in hackathons or apply for internships. After graduation, I pursued various paths, including preparing for the CAT exam with only three months of preparation time, but I didn't succeed. I then applied to several companies for data analytics roles but kept making new mistakes in each attempt. In one instance, I was rejected for oversharing my passion for data science in a final interview.

To improve my chances, I optimized my resume and completed significant projects, but these efforts haven't yet yielded the desired results. Realizing the challenges of relying on a single target, I also started preparing for the GATE exam. Reflecting on my journey, I recognize that I should have applied for on-campus opportunities, as off-campus job hunting is challenging and unpredictable, regardless of one's preparation.

Tell me your story? In order to get some hope that we can make it and it's never too late

Let me tell my story

I have been following the grapevine for a few months but I haven't heard a lot from mechanical engineers, tell me how you build your career in mechanical engineering and some valuable lessons for those in the early stages of their careers.

Mechanical engineering

I found an old form from 2013, my father had sent details
Annual Income - 8L
Education expense - 2.5L

He is retired govt empl so couldn't lie on numbers

I was in top autonomous institute, and my brother in good private school in Delhi

It hits me now, how I wasted my life 'enjoying college' and thereafter
Falling in and out of love

Parents never say anything on practical topics, just regular wake up early, eat vegetables rant

I fucked my life and how

Dying in guilt

There’s a lot of time for you too do what you wish to do. Guilt and regret are temporary, your actions are kinda more important. 
  
 We will always disappoint our people as every person is different. You did what you felt gave you happiness at that point. Don’t be hard on yourself. 
  
 Your parents will eventually be the happiest when they see you chasing your dreams and goals. Don’t regret anything. Just take it one day at a time and do what feels right. 
  
 Cheer!

Brand Communication Manager

Consultant

I hate working 9 to 5. I simply hate it. I loathe it. I worked so hard all my effing life to get here and I hate it. I learnt DP and what not. It’s been 1.5 years since I started working full time as a software engineer and it just keeps getting worse. 
I make upwards of 15 lpa.
It’s not that I have a bad work environment, it’s great. It’s just that I feel absolutely rotten working a 9 to 5 as a software engineer.

Ideally, I would like to own a small business of my own. Despite watching hours of content on how to do that, I haven’t been able to come up with anything that seems like it’s gonna work, you know…

Thinking of doing an MBA but that’s BS too, right?

It feels like very soon I’m just gonna quit and be broke. 🤷🏼‍♀️
It feels like my life is over at 23. Kill me now.

My question to you is first, am I alone?,  second, can I help you in your business in any possible way?, third, should I do an MBA?

What do I do with my life?

Software Developer

This is mostly for people who have spent 10+ years in the industry. I’m sure we all can agree that the hiring and salary boom that we witnessed in 2021-22 is mostly over now. Now it’s more about surviving the job market rather than printing asymmetrical amount of money

But how has it turned out for people who’ve been in the game for too long. I know some people who switched jobs too quickly and are at a higher package but still not content. At the same time, I know a few seniors who’re still in my first company and are happier than ever with the work.

I understand that in Tier-1 cities, the expense itself is more and you’re sometimes forced to switch just to stay afloat. But what would you recommend new joiners based on your experience? Does chasing money in early years help later or only focusing on skills?

Chasing money or skills? What paid off at the end?

Should alter the choice during switches. 
  
 If a switch is taken for money then next switch should be for skill or promotion and so on

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Adulthood 🫡

Product Designer

Account Executive

Engineering..Inke Baap ka dream
Le li computer stream

4 Line k code likh na paaye
Aadhe Dozen Bug inme samaye 

Google placement ka le kar dream
Le li computer stream

Abb sirf 8.5 lakh mein

Reality of Engineering Student! - Toh Janab Arz kiya ha!

Hello mechanical engineers,
Share your story
How did you folks navigate in your career and what are you folks upto and how much do you make with the experience that you have in your field

Are you fine? Existing? Alive? Rocking it?

Mechanical Engineers Rant

System Engineer

I have three younger cousins. They don't want to code. They have their clarity. They don't want to pursue any particular engineering stream as well. 

They want to get a decent paying job. Let's say 6-8 lpa start with a path to 15-20 lpa in 4-5 years. 

I tried advising them to not invest a lot of money and four years of time in engineering. Their family is average middle class financially. I told them that I'll advise you what all to learn like content writing, seo, data analytics etc. So do a simple course, save money and rather invest in something that matters for job. 

They did listen but did not get confidence to act. 
All three went for engineering stream. These are private colleges with tier 3ish names. Now they don't get time to put a lot of time because 8-4 is usually college time. Unlike tier 1,2 college where you get campus and a lot of freedom, the colleges usually have a lot of classes and compulsory 80% type attendance. 

Did you face similar situation? What did you advise? Do you think I was giving them right decision?

Did you try advising your cousins not to pursue engineering if they don't want to code?

Your advice is misleading. You don't become a best in class data analyst if you can't code. SEO is a shady business and there isn't growth. Even a PU graduate can do content writing or SEO. Engineering is like a passport. You use the degree to make your career. The number of people earning 20L with 5 yoe with a non engg degree is pretty low. I empathize with the 8-4 struggle. I have seen such people, but they are still better off by doing engineering than anything else. There are other core engineering career options in non-software industry, but you will have to be competitive to secure a decent job even there. There are banking, insurance etc. Even these require people to be competitive. There is no free lunch. May be in European nations, but these won't last long.

Analyst

Product Manager

every single time!

Senior Software Engineer

I had scored well in my state level cet exams and had a free seat in both medicine and engineering. I chose engineering and eventually been lucky to have had opportunities to experience a lot of random things in life and at the right time got into startup’s. In hindsight I’m very glad I didn’t choose medicine, not because of the years of study but just because my current path was way more enlightening, knowledgeable and satisfying as a whole. 

Engineering gave me the generalist skill set to explore many things to eventually work on things I loved. I don’t think medicine would have provided me that.

Medicine vs Engineering

After successfully eating up Product Managers, Consultants, CEOs, Marketers, Salespeoples jobs, etc., Engineers are all set for their next.

Program Manager

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I was mentally physically drained
Friends said I was lifeless 

3 years and countless long nights, I'm outta here

Finally out of the hustle! Left BCG

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I am an engineering student in Bangalore 
I have read about different jobs in first year and now I am getting really interested in finance. 
I have no interest in core engineering and tech and Consulting is difficult to get into right after undergraduate.
But I am feeling really under confidence to jump into it , I feel I am making a wrong decision. 
I have seen people who did only finance related internships in their engineering but they are from IITs .
Any engineer who switched to finance here can share your experience ? 
I got interested in finance after reading about PE , VC , investing. 


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