I am about to retire from IBM in six months and I really hope there is no a hidden RA lurking somewhere that will complicate this plan. Anyhow, here is my advice to younger folks (get ready for some semi-organized rambling):
- Pay attention to what’s happening around you, do not assume you will not be affected
- You are young. Invincible. Bright eyed – enjoy it. You work hard, you have ambitions. These are all great things – be alert though.
- As you age, cross 30, you will start hitting RA lists.
- As you age, you will realize that most of the promises by the management were empty and will not materialize.
- Keep your skills relevant and adjusted with what the market needs.
- Take care of yourself, only, everything mgmt promises is unlikely to materialize
- Jump jobs unless a rapid progression is happening, do 3 year stints max
- FAANG will pay you the best, if you like to save – consider this option
- If you are on the hardware side, be careful – if FAANG you are probably OK, everything else – it’ll be a tricky rid
- Try to mix tech with business skills, this is critical and will differentiate you – harder done than said but make an effort
- Seek mentors no matter where you go, you will find them
- Be nice to people, be humane, be a friend – at some point in your career these will be things you will admire while everything else will be ‘whatever’ (prestige, titles, $, etc.)
Good luck…