Share your not so conventional career trajectory

Like for example - Engineering in CSE but not working as software engineer Left normal corporate jobs, started freelancing Found out entirely new profession to do? Farming? Curious on what made you take that decision! What the world convinced you about the decision? Did your friends and family treated you differently when you didn't walk the conventional path?

Has anyone here, moved away from Software Development to something else. Maybe in a completely different direction, like became a graphics designer, or Game developer etc. or in a similar direction, like went towards Product Management or something similar. If yes, then I want to know your experience with the switch, and the steps you took to make it happen. I got into Software engineering 2-3 years ago (attracted by the salaries) but now I just don’t feel like doing it anymore at all. I asked a friend who’s a PM, and his take on this was, if i wanted to keep earning how much I currently do (20-30 LPA), and want to go even further than that, then SDE is the only option, PMs do not get paid that much amount, when compared to SDEs in the longer run. What’s your take on this?

I see a lot of product managers come from an engineering background. They have worked for a few years as an engineer before making the transition. I want to understand the factors that led to the to make the switch. Also, how has that turned out after moving to product management? Did you find the things that you were looking for? PS: It is also common knowledge that PMs are paid less than engineers.

Hi! I'm in a non tech role at a tech company - I work in Corporate Communications. Are there others here who work in similar roles?

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.

Curious if there are any PMs who started their careers as product designers or sth similar. If yes, would love to know your story. If someone around is has a similar story, would love to hear that as well!

So with advancement in technology since decade and then the COVID wave , many startups were having money flowing into them from VCs and there was a boost in Indian startup ecosystem, many startups achieved the status of unicorn too , i am not saying product managers were not existing before , ofcourse they were there buliding some amazing products for the users out there, but do you think that the extra cash that was coming into the system created so many product management roles as a generalist and gave rise to popularity of product management and now we can see every second person wants to be a PM

Just wanted to know people's experiences who have made this switch or even just general things i or anyone should know. Apart from the obvious change in work, Is the salary structure the same? Etc. And just for context in my specific case I'm almost closing in on 4 years of experience in software development.

Hi folks, I work at a startup (been 2 years now) as a PM. From the last 12 months, my work has mostly revolved around strategy, business intelligence, program/general mgmt. I am now planning to quit and move on. However, I am not sure if I want to continue being a PM, because it's very overwhelming honestly and I actually enjoyed the last 12 months as a generalist. Need career advice from fellow PMs whether to pursue program mgmt/strategy/general mgmt/Chief of staff/new initiatives roles or devote 100% of my time to prepare for PM interviews and also try to make up for the last 12 months by doing side projects and maybe even interning under a senior PM Some pointers about me: 1. I have 2 YoE in PM. 2. I have a CS degree from a tier 1/2 college 3. There is no particular reason to quit. Job is chill

Hey. I graduated from a tier 4 uni with a non-engg degree (3 years). Including a breakdown of compensation to show what’s possible, apologies for the humble brag. Year 1: 12 lakh Year 3: 36 lakh + 15 lakh SOPs Year 6: 50 lakh + 5 lakh SOPs Year 8: 75 lakh + 30 lakh SOPs Year 10: 110 lakh + 60 lakh SOPs I’ve worked in increasingly larger companies, latest is a decacorn+. AMA!