How I Levelled Up to Staff Software Engineer
As a software engineer, I earned a good salary but couldn't help feeling a bit stuck. It took me a while to figure out what I had to do to earn promotion to Staff Software Engineer and, in the articles listed below, I explain the lessons I learned in order to help me achieve that outcome.
When you're attempting to make the leap up from Senior to Staff Software Engineer, it can feel a little bit like you're pushing up against a glass ceiling.
Unless you're in Big Tech, it's common that the highest individual contributor role in many companies is Senior. If the Staff level does exist, there are so few places available that the odds of landing one of them are slim.
So, what can you do?
Many engineers transition into management but, if you're like I was, this isn't the path you're looking for. You want to continue to be a hands-on engineer, to write code, and to solve problems with your keyboard.
In this series of articles, I explore the lessons I learned in order to earn promotion to Staff Software Engineer.
Articles
Learning the Art of Leadership
How leadership can be embraced and practiced by engineers to enhance their technical expertise and career growth.
High-Leverage Communication Skills
Communication skills are essential for engineers to be effective. Here are three high-leverage skills that I have found to be particularly useful.
The Cumulative Power of Attention Management
By focusing on the right work, we can achieve more with less effort. Managing our attention is a powerful tool for increasing our effectiveness.