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I second this question. I find that "potentially loosing [..] effectiveness" is the least of the problems though, but that a few years of experience in managem

I second this question. I find that "potentially loosing [..] effectiveness" is the least of the problems though, but that a few years of experience in management makes one essentially unhirable for positions that even involve some coding. I saw this from both sides of the table: as employee and hiring manager. It's also not a money problem, accepting less for a coding position does not work. A career path back to coding just does not exist within the industry. Of course freelancing and founding your own company may be options but in a regular company hierarchy - no way in my experience. I'd love to be proven wrong of course and I'd love to hear stories to the contrary.

ChrisMarshallNY 6y ago
Probably the case. Being older than 35, in this industry, is also a killer. I just gave up looking for work, and am working with some folks on a nonprofit startup. It's great. best decision I ever made.
- domano 6y ago
  I am 31 so maybe i have a chance to switch back for a few years, fingers crossed. Thanks for your replies.
domano 6y ago
Why does management experience make you unhirable? I do program every now and then in my spare time, but not to the extent the original commenter does in his spare time. Interview wise i am doing fine, albeit not for FAANG type roles.
- ChrisMarshallNY 6y ago
  Managers -especially young ones- can be quite insecure. They don't want folks reporting to them that can call BS. Basic human nature. TBH, they have a point. I was a manager for many years, and know BS when I smell it. I had a management style that involved a lot of self-reflection and intimate feedback loops with my employees, but I also managed very experienced engineers that all knew more than I did, so treating them with respect, and listening to their counsel, became second nature. It wouldn't have bothered me a bit to have employees that used to be managers, as long as they were good engineers. Not sure that most managers, these days, operate that way.
- weinzierl 6y ago
  That's what I wrote - unhireable for coding positions. Of course management positions don't make you unhireable for management positions. Sure, you can code in your spare time, but how much of that spare time do you have if you take your management position seriously?

ChrisMarshallNY 6y ago

Probably the case. Being older than 35, in this industry, is also a killer. I just gave up looking for work, and am working with some folks on a nonprofit startup. It's great. best decision I ever made.

domano 6y ago
I am 31 so maybe i have a chance to switch back for a few years, fingers crossed. Thanks for your replies.

domano 6y ago

Why does management experience make you unhirable? I do program every now and then in my spare time, but not to the extent the original commenter does in his spare time. Interview wise i am doing fine, albeit not for FAANG type roles.

ChrisMarshallNY 6y ago
Managers -especially young ones- can be quite insecure. They don't want folks reporting to them that can call BS. Basic human nature. TBH, they have a point. I was a manager for many years, and know BS when I smell it. I had a management style that involved a lot of self-reflection and intimate feedback loops with my employees, but I also managed very experienced engineers that all knew more than I did, so treating them with respect, and listening to their counsel, became second nature. It wouldn't have bothered me a bit to have employees that used to be managers, as long as they were good engineers. Not sure that most managers, these days, operate that way.
weinzierl 6y ago
That's what I wrote - unhireable for coding positions. Of course management positions don't make you unhireable for management positions. Sure, you can code in your spare time, but how much of that spare time do you have if you take your management position seriously?