diff --git a/_posts/2025-06-10-mid-senior-engineer.html b/_posts/2025-06-10-mid-senior-engineer.html new file mode 100644 index 00000000..3ec2f2e4 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2025-06-10-mid-senior-engineer.html @@ -0,0 +1,142 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: Mid-Senior Engineer: A Journey of Self-Discovery +date: 2025-06-10 +author_name: Irina Kamalova +author_role: VP Lead Software Engineer @ JPMorgan Chase +blurb_img: /assets/images/blog/2025-06-10-mid-to-senior-engineer-banner.png +blurb_img_source: +description: | + So, you've mastered the fundamentals, you're a reliable contributor, and the "Mid-Level + Engineer" title feels comfortable. But the ambition to grow, to take on more responsibility, + and to reach that coveted "Senior Engineer" status is bubbling beneath the surface. You're + not alone! The journey from Mid to Senior is a significant step in any tech professional's + career, and understanding the available pathways is crucial for strategic advancement. +category: Career-progression +--- + +
+

+ So, you've mastered the fundamentals, you're a reliable contributor, and the "Mid-Level + Engineer" title feels comfortable. But the ambition to grow, to take on more responsibility, + and to reach that coveted "Senior Engineer" status is bubbling beneath the surface. You're + not alone! The journey from Mid to Senior is a significant step in any tech professional's + career, and understanding the available pathways is crucial for strategic advancement. +

+ +

+ I suggest to look at two strategies following the chart: +

+ +
+ mid-to-senior engineer chart +
+ +

+ Path 1: Get a promotion within your company +

+

Plan:

+
    + + +
  1. Align your goal with your manager.
    2. +     +

    + This is the first and the most crucial step. Unless you come to the person who is responsible for your promotion + and ask for it there's no sense in preparing a plan with steps, enrolling in certifications for promotions, and + getting more projects on the plate without any advice. +

    + + +
  2. Set up exact steps with your manager.
    3. +     +

    + From the first step, you should learn what you need to do: where your gaps are, where your strengths are, where + your weaknesses are. +

    + + +
  3. Execute those steps
    4. +     +

    User SMART technique for each step.

    + + +
  4. Ensure recognition across teams.
    5. +     +

    It's crucial for promotion to be visible inside your company. The more you help others, the more scope you touch + and your knowledge increases.

    + + +
  5. Work for the review & feedback.
    6. +     +

    The important point is to know exact dates where reviews and promotion windows inside your company are happening. + Your review date is your hard deadline. +

    +
+ Outcome (if your goal is not yet achieved): + +
+
    +
    + +
  1. Gather the feedback and create an actionable plan from it to close gaps.
    2. +     + All those steps gave you an amazing experience. How could you do better? What is left for the next time? Through + several iterations you're guaranteed to get the promotion. However, it could be from 2 to 5 iterations with a + feedback loop. +
    + + +
  2. Go from 1 to 5 from the previous block again.
    3. +     +
+ +

Outcome (if your goal is achieved): Promotion to Senior Engineer.

+ Pass the Interview to obtain the Senior position + + + +

+ Now, the great question: should you follow both paths simultaneously? It's up to you, however, the balanced model + will be to go through Path 1 for a year and if you've not succeeded go through Path 2 for the next year. The + iterative approach will lead you to the goal. However, the common trap for engineers is to try to do both paths at + the same time and it leads to burnout. One path can be the background while the other is the focus. Regular + interviews wouldn't hurt but be mindful of your time and remember that they were in the background path when you've + got a rejection. + I wish you the best of luck on your way! + +

+ +
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