Software Engineer; pre-exit startup, where should I be during exit?

Should I shoot for a manager role for the exit? Or a higher up software engineering role?

Or a lead role as the company scales up?

What is ideal in terms of making money and setting myself up for the future

3 comments

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These aren't questions anyone else can answer. You should think about what YOU want to do and decide accordingly. Consider what you're good at and aim at a position you feel will best suit you in that company's environment.

caruizdiaz 3y ago ↗

I went through the same transition and decided I liked being an IC/developer better.

Jumping to managerial positions require you to readjust your skills to something more proper to that type of job. The ability to keep stakeholders happy while maintaining developers motivated comes to mind as an example. I just couldn't bear having to deal with company politics and shielding my team from external drama.

I ultimately valued most my ability to build than the skills required to keep everyone happy as a manager. You can get paid more but you also sacrifice more.

fpdavis 3y ago ↗

The higher up on the food chain the better your chances will be. I would shoot for a management role, assuming you are qualified for the role and it is something that interests you. Stay technical though so you understand the systems you are working with.