[rajeshp1986]

I am in a similar situation and made a decision few weeks back. I am a senior engineers with 8 years exp. I was getting frustrated thinking that in few years I was looking at a dead end career. I didn't want to max out as engg. manager or director. I was thinking about production management, primarily because most of my ex-colleagues jumped into product management and they are doing well in their career. I was looking for all possible ways to move to product management but in the end I got an advice from someone:

1) As an engineer, your technical skills are more rewarded and valued. You can quickly learn new skills like AI/Machine learning and will boost your career.

2) There is no guarantee that moving to PM role will boost your career. I feel PM skills are overrated and your success doesn't necessarily depends on your skills. Organizational dynamics & politics will also play a major role. In the few years that you will spend as PM, you will loose your technical skills and moving into a new domain will be a big challenge.

I personally choose to stay in engineering & learn AI/Machine learning and moving up the engineering ladder.