Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
(OP)
Question-
A first level supervisor with 12 direct reports is being pursued by a company that offers a 10% increase in base salary, double bonus potential and overall a 30% increase in total comp package; but it would entail a return to a mid to senior level individual contributor level from first level supervisor.
How to advise this person? Assuming both jobs are potentially rewarding for this person.
Thoughts?
A first level supervisor with 12 direct reports is being pursued by a company that offers a 10% increase in base salary, double bonus potential and overall a 30% increase in total comp package; but it would entail a return to a mid to senior level individual contributor level from first level supervisor.
How to advise this person? Assuming both jobs are potentially rewarding for this person.
Thoughts?





RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
Note that about halfway through my career, when I was offered something similar (although there was not as big a financial incentive and I didn't change companies), I opted to leave my mid-level management position for a technical staff position working for a vice-president of development. While long term I might have made more if I had stayed where I was, life outside the management track was certainly a lot better personally. I managed to keep all the perks that a manager had but with almost none of the responsibility, which does have value. For example I would have probably retired much earlier missing those last few years of pensions contributions to say nothing of having to take less from my defined-benefits pensions and Social Security. I probably worked 6 years longer than I would have and when you look at how much I'm now getting each month in pension and SS benefits, those six years made a big difference, to say nothing of the extra salary that was made in those last six years, including paying off two new cars and accelerating the payoff of our mortgage.
Anyway, those are my thoughts, for what their worth.
John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
10 years out of college, 3 yrs in current position.
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
Do they want to become a manager or they prefer technical?
To me, getting more money to stay technical is almost a no-brainer assuming everything else is equal.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
I asked the question; management path is of interest only because that appears to be the only way to increase comp beyond a certain level.
Thoughts?
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
In that case 10% base, 30% total is non negligible.
This individual has managed to jump from technical to management once before, so they could probably do so again.
(If the $ is really the most important thing then the individual should see if there are careers outside of the Engineering sector that are even more rewarding.)
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
You are right, if $ are the most important, engineering is not the career in general!
the original assumption was that the intangibles were unchanged. work life balance was is similar, satisfaction is similar, etc. I think the original concern was that does stepping back into a technical role hurt future opportunities for management again?
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
Probably because it simply doesn't work that way; otherwise, waiters would make more than minimal wage.
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
I personally feel engineers are way more valuable than our market makes us, but then, it's the market that makes us that.
If you want to make more money and continue being technical, you have to work for yourself or a very small firm...
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
This is no-brainer.
I am forever learning and changing.
W.E. Deming
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
None of the "high maintenance" personality issues that accompany direct reports?
No year end reviews for the 12 direct reports.
Why is this person asking for advise?
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
1) Who changed employers more than once every few years (unless they were a Contractor of course)
2) Stayed with the same employer for too long
No 1) above shows perhaps they are a bit flighty, and might leave you high-and-dry for another buck per hour (ie no commitment)
No 2) might indicate a lack of exposure to different ways of doing things (not what you look for in an experienced engineer)
Having said all that, I was happily employed with my first employer for 11 years. Who knows, I might still be there if they had not been bought out by a competitor.
Who knows what live will throw at you during your career. As long as you are still growing and learning, you are becoming more valuable. Of course you need to be happy as well.
I am forever learning and changing.
W.E. Deming
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
RE: Decision on job change - supervisor vs individual contributor
The long term financial upside to management has much higher potential than technical. I would NOT step down for a nominal increase in salary. You can get back into management, but only when the position becomes open AND if they want you for that position. These occurrences happening simultaneously are not necessarily a given....