About
Experience & Education
Other similar profiles
Explore more posts
-
Raman Walia
From 2017 to 2020, I was an Engineering Manager at Adobe. I was handling multiple teams, and multiple managers were directly reporting to me. Yet I gave that up to join Meta as an IC. If you have been debating IC vs Manager, here is the best way I can explain it from my own journey. [1] The manager path gives you scale very quickly As an Engineering Manager, your leverage goes up fast. As an IC, you can only do what one person can do. As a manager, your output multiplies through the team. You also get a seat at the table much earlier. In most companies, first-line managers are invited into planning, reviews, hiring discussions, resource calls, and leadership conversations very quickly. That part is powerful. The title gives you reach. [2] The IC path gives you something I value more: control As a manager, your growth depends a lot on structure. There needs to be a role above you. There needs to be room in the org. There needs to be timing. A lot of your next move depends on whether the company has space for it. As an IC, especially at senior levels, growth feels much more in your control. If you are doing strong work, creating visible impact, and solving important problems, the path is much more direct. You do not have to wait for a box to open above you in the org chart. That mattered to me a lot. [3] Manager impact is broader, but IC impact is easier to prove Manager work is important, but a lot of it is indirect. As an IC, the work is direct and much more tangible. That directness is deeply satisfying if you enjoy building. [4] Why I came back to the IC path I came back because I liked building more than managing. The manager path gave me scale, visibility, and influence. The IC path gave me control, speed, and a stronger connection between effort and outcome. So if you are stuck on this decision, here is my view: Choose management if you enjoy growing people, shaping teams, and influencing through others. Choose the IC path if you enjoy building, owning technical direction, and tying your growth directly to what you create. Both paths can lead to strong careers. The mistake is not choosing one over the other. The mistake is not being able to pick one and keep switching. Try both, but pick one and don't second-guess your decision.
18 Comments
Explore top content on LinkedIn
Find curated posts and insights for relevant topics all in one place.
View top contentOthers named Vignesh Narayanan
157 others named Vignesh Narayanan are on LinkedIn
See others named Vignesh Narayanan