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Ask HN: Semi-technical manager to technical individual contributor?
I'm a semi-technical manager who wants to go full-technical, and I think that the best way is to move back to an IC role. My undergrad is in a non-technical area; I worked my way into my current role from a support position. The technical part of my job is by far the most interesting, and I feel like I'm at the point where the only way to improve further is to do it full time. Right now I'm working on my engineering abilities in my free time, but side projects only get you so far.
I'm wondering if management -> IC is a bad choice in terms of future options or if anyone's done something similar. For those who hire, would you see the move as a step back or a demotion?
- opendomain 10y agoI have moved back and forth between technical and management several times in my career - there has been no problem getting a new job later on. The only issues is that I did not progress to 'senior management' as fast as I would have liked, but I always had an edge over average managers that did not understand the tech as well.
- el_benhameen 10y agoThanks, that's helpful. That's about what my expectations are. I'd prefer not to be the manager who talks out of his ass, and I think this would help.