[tesnirnat]

I've worked in companies where standard practice was to give new managers senior-level engineers, because senior engineers were less likely to require some of the more complex management issues that someone more junior might.

Speaking as someone who, when I was a junior, only ever worked for first time managers -- I hated it, and wished that I had a more experienced manager. Meanwhile, my senior friends who had a first time manager enjoyed the process of teaching a new manager the ropes.

[dumpsterdiver]

That makes a lot of sense. I remember having bad managers early in my career as well, but I was also in a customer facing position that required much more feedback from management (weekly one-on-ones). Compare that to now, when the only time I hear anything from management is when I get a raise, or a shout out at the end of year "all hands" meeting.