> Generation X (and even more so generation Y) are cultures of immediate gratification uh huh. thanks for that. Does this guy even remember his 20s anymore?

> Generation X (and even more so generation Y) are cultures of immediate gratification uh huh. thanks for that. Does this guy even remember his 20s anymore? > I’ve worked with a staggering number of engineers that expect the “career path” to take them to the highest ranks of the engineering group inside 5 years just because they are smart. This is simply impossible in the staggering numbers I’ve witnessed Pretty common at the big companies. 5 years is quick, but it's the start of when people start to hit senior in larger numbers. If you won't give them something, someone else will. Remember that, and maybe reconsider your biases. > What then? “Super engineer”? Five more years? “Super-duper engineer Depending on where you are, staff/principal/distinguished/fellow/partner/etc... If your engineering ladder ends at Senior that's a failure on your part honestly. When is it appropriate to call someone a senior engineer? When they hit 65? When they are the most experienced engineer left? When they come in and announce that they are no longer going to attempt to expand their skills in any way? If you want to stick in SE 1-6 before senior then go ahead. It seems like what the complain is really against the the typical bands we see at a lot of companies nowadays.