Would advise against software engineering if it's not something you're 100% keen on 
  
 Picking between PM and PgM should be easy

How's it easy to pick between product or program roles?

Product Manager

The difference between product and program is quite significant

Chief of Staff

If Engineering, I would prefer native app development (have a few small apps published on play store as well)

Program Manager

I am in a situation where I need to choose my next role. I can be a program manager working end to end on a program, a product manager for relatively and R&D team, or a software engineer with the R...

Welcome to Product Managers's Private Community

I am in a situation where I need to choose my next role. I can be a program manager working end to end on a program, a product manager for relatively and R&D team, or a software engineer with the R&D team. While I don’t hate coding, and have some basic experience, I am someone who would loves to be a part of the bigger picture, and feels that software engineering is a bit narrow in that aspect. Please help me choose. 

I’ve 2.5 YoE and has been a program manager who has handled product functions as well. I equally love all of the above 3 roles.

Need help choosing a role

Need help choosing a role- Grapevine

Welcome to Office Gossip's Private Community

I'm relatively early in my career, and has been working as a Program Manager (it doesn't mean that I have anyone reporting to me). I love what I do. The pay is also decent. 

I also like software engineering (app development mainly). I used to code regularly and has got some apps on the Play Store as well (hobby projects, not big). 

I'm confused whether I should continue as a Program Manager (going down the managerial route) or switch to a Software Engineering role. I feel like I should get some software engineering experience before being in a role working closely with Software Engineers. But, another thought is why move away from something that I love doing. 

I'm a bit scared on taking a decision (grass would always be greener on the other side). I don't know anyone like me in the same route.

Note: I work at a fortune 50 organisation, awesome team/manager, and all of them are completely supportive of whatever decision I make. 

My manager is happy to help me grow in any direction (both at the same time as well), but spending energy on one would yield better results. 

Age: <25
Education: B.Tech (no MBA)
Exp: ~ 2 years

Note: I would definitely love to be a good manager down the lane (always liked working with people). 


(I don't want to make this into a thread to fight on coding v/s non coding roles)

Managerial Role vs Engineering Role

Please guide I'm lost I don't know what interests me the most I want to know reality check of all 3 roles - Salary, work life balance, growth. Share your thoughts it'll help.

I've currently 2.5y of Experience as Software Engineer in Accenture but I played many roles in project - Testing, Development, Client Demos.

Now I'm just lost whichvdirection should I go considering it has good future and not over saturated/fear of being replaced by AI?

Consulting or Product Management or Software Engineer?

Software Engineer

Hi! I'm a fresher with about 5 months of work ex. I have previously interned as a PM and now I'm working as an engineer. I'm struggling to choose between software engineering and product management. How should I take a call?

Software engineering vs product management

Business Analyst

I joined my company (tech startup) as a Product Manager and over the course of 3 years have worked both in Product as well  as in Business teams. And to be honest, I like both the work.

Now, I am looking for a switch and unable to decide which role I should pursue - Product or Business. So, I would need help from you all. 

From a long term career point of view keeping in mind compensation, scope of work and transitioning into leadership positions (CXOs), which is a better role and why - Product or Business?

Which role would you prefer from an overall career point of view - Product or Business?

Welcome to IT Company Discussion's Private Community

I'm in serious trouble.
I was an sde for 3+ years. Didn't like it, thought it's not meant for me and wanted a different job. 
Came across Product management, which piqued my interest. Somehow found a contract job at a startup and did it for a year. While it's not a traditional PM, it was more of a project manager.

The contract ended, now I'm unemployed.

Applied for jobs, no luck. Now I'm questioning my career choices, should I stick with PM or should I go back to being a techie. I definitely don't want to go back to coding, but I'm thinking of doing something like IAM/okta/cyberark stuff. 

Experienced folks, please help. I literally don't know where am I headed in life

Career help!

Project Manager

Assume you're currently enjoying your role as a jack of all trades. If your manager come and tell you that you need to choose whether you need to be a 
- Software Engineer
- Product Manager
- Program Manager
- Analyst
- Product Operations Manager

Which one would you choose? And why? 


Note: You're currently contributing to all of this in someway or the other, and the manager wants to ensure that you are also having a good career growth within the company, or you should be ready if you're looking for an external job.

The manager and the team is 100% in on supporting you on any of the above choice. 

[These are not random options, but came up because of the exposure to these domains and the related results delivered]

Selecting a Career

Hi! Can you please suggest websites or apps to get mentorship or exposure. I'll go first - ADPList.

Websites/apps to get mentorship or exposure

Welcome to Software Engineers's Private Community

I'm trying to get back at coding and is unable to decide between the following:

- Backend (Springboot - have tried a basic application to build crud APIs)
- Android Dev (native, have built few very basic apps using Java and published them)
- Web Full stack (have some experience with ERN as of now)


I'm unable to choose which one to focus on and not being able to take a decision is just resulting in procrastination. I know it would be better to just jump into something and go with the flow, but I'm unable to. 

Please help me out folks! 

I'm currently in a non coding role because of choice, but have always loved development and used to do it until I started working full-time (still tried a few things on the side). 

Haven't really figured out what's next, but if it works out, I would switch to an engineering role (either internally or to a new company)

Need help | Backend vs Android Dev vs Web Full stack

I feel there is no light for this tunnel for many more months to come. 11150+ Applications for 1 Post. Can't imagine the level of competition.

11,100+ applicants for 1 Job, Is market really getting better as mainstream says?

Analyst

Currently have 10years of experience and am at cross roads of next steps in career. Need help from senior folks here to know pros and cons on either directions I have a chance to move up the ladder

Want to know career opportunities say next 10-20 years and pay as well. 

As for me, love hands on tech but scared how long can I sustain the mojo. 

People management wise not bad but need to learn many steps in there to become great.

If it’s of any help current TC: 60L

Engineering Manager route v/s Staff/ Principal Software Engineer

Software Developer

Hello everyone,

I'm seeking suggestions and guidance on transitioning to a Product Management role.
I've been in the services-based industry for the past 1.5 years and I'm eager to make this transition as soon as possible.
Any advice would be highly appreciated.

Transition to Product

Project Coordinator

I know Grapevine is full of young and ambitious people that either planning to get into Product or are already working as a PM. I don’t aim to discourage any of you. Moreover, if you need tips to break into Product I would be happy to help you.

I personally feel that knowing what you are doing is going to doom is better than normalizing it.

So I will convey my experience in simple words, how I hated every single day of it, why did I still stick around for 4 years, why product decisions are random political bullshit, why you should not let anything that happens get under your skin and affect your morale. Finally, few words for sociopathic Head of Products.

Lesson #1: Go through all stages of grief at once. Accept that product culture is broken and accept that it will not get better. Finally, you can’t fix it or improve it.

Lesson #2: Ratings are political bullshit. 
I can tell you the years I was rated worse I was probably working harder and better at my job. It just depends on the results you get in the last month before ratings and whether your DOP is vocal for you.

Lesson #3: Last piece of advice: do not let your Product years lower your self esteem or sense of self worth.

Also, some words for sociopathic Head of Products. F’ you.

You Must Get Out - My Experience of 4 Years In Product

Heavily second this. I’m a tech focus generalist who stumbled upon PMing after multiple startup exits. Absolutely bonkers role with no role definition, metric ownership, impact driving. Anyone who disagrees, is lying to themselves. What I can define PM in Indian / many valley based companies with Indian founders -> glorified bhains charane wala.

I was preparing for Product roles for quite some times, But as far as i am seeing software engineers are paid more, so shoud i start preparing for software domain now or stick to the product role.

Please advice

Final Year student

I am a software engineer with 2 yrs of experience.
I am kinda fascinated with the developing idea of project than developing the product. I want to switch to product management which I think somehow doing it my current job except giving the idea.

I like to innovate solutions and implement then in the real world and I want people to use it. I think this would be the right path to get started into it.

Doing an mba is also good option but I think moving to pm role will be a good option .
It’s to crack it but not impossible.

I am not sure how the feature would be for this career.

OPEN TO HEAT 
Suggestions , Advices, Opinions, Experiences.
:)

Software Engineer to Product Manager

First time posting here looking for advice

I am a 25 YO, working in an MNC (3+ Years experience)

Now here is what I have done in my last 3 years of work 

I can code fluently in Python and have managed a team of devs to work on 2 different applications
I have extensive no-code application building experience - applications being used by over 3000+ people
I have Project Manager as a designation but have done both product and project roles over the last 3 years

So I mostly say - I can solve problems from End 2 End from finding it, understanding it and solving it  (and if required build something to solve it)I mostly work with CXO (read 25 years+ experience senior leaders in the industry) but now I don't know what's next

I am eligible for a lot of roles between - strategy, technical project management and product managers
But mostly recruiters are like - "You don't have a defined experience in one field except mostly problem solving" or I am too young for a TPM role etc.

Badly need advice to understand what's next and also where to look for the next thing

Any generalists here?

Product Owner

Hello everyone,

This is my first post. I am a recent graduate from NIT, and unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a placement. My career goal is to work in a Product Management (PM) role. As a fresher, I've taken the initiative to start learning about this industry

I have completed four courses in Product Management, covering areas such as:
- Product Analysis
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Market Analysis

I am eager to apply my skills and start my journey in this exciting field. I am looking for opportunities  where I can further develop my expertise and grow as a Product Manager.

Any advice or leads on where I can apply to gain more experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Need help for becomingal a products manager

Hi,

8 YOE, Security engineer trying to switch to PM role. Studied everything related to PM. Joined cohort based course who promised interviews but nothing came. Currently writing cold emails.

I am expert at cyber security who can understand code, write scripts, do front end dev, can design

What should I do to land a PM role?

Need help choosing a role

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