Only Two Get Promoted

Question

Been working in tech for 20+ years as an eng, PM, and TPM (Comcast, Amazon). Through my career, it seems like there are only two positions that get promoted: Software Engineer and Product Manager.

I’ve seen SEs and PMs become Directors, EDs, and VPs over and over. Most recently as a TPM, that position feels very much like an org and career dead end.

Does anyone else find that to be true? Or have any advice on moving out of being a TPM? I would like to become a more senior manager and I feel like I have missed my chance.

19g6vkvllmyk3 · Accepted Answer

Most places consider PM and TPM in the same general bucket of talent.  If you see PMs getting promoted, TPMs being promoted is definitely on the table.  Keep in mind that SWE and PM and TPM are all individual contributor roles on their own career ladders.  Management roles Ike the titles you mentioned are on an entirely different career track.  The competencies and activities and qualifications are entirely different between SWE, PM, TPM, and management tracks.  You can get promoted wiring your own career track, but switching from IC to management or vice versa is not inherently a promotion (generally speaking a switch between tracks comes at the same level or maybe a step lower).

Taylor · Answer

I think SWE and PM career tracks are just more defined. Likely due to the volume of folks in those roles. I'm sure there is some defined hierarchy in the TPM role at your company but its probably less defined than the SWE leveling system.

Without a clear defined way to measure your next step/level its harder to get promoted.

___ · Answer

I feel like those tracks are just more established compared to other job titles and families. SWEs and PMs have a pretty clear path to management along with a dual ladder running in parallel. For most other titles at least from what I’ve seen, it’s a bit more ambiguous.

Muscat · Answer

I think that also depends on the company? My firm promotes all sorts of talents to management as long as you show transferrable skills and THE THIRST TO LEARN MORE!

Only Two Get Promoted

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