| You have both skills so, choose which one is valued more in your workplace. If the management is lacking and you feel you can fill the void, go for it. Same with IC. Of course, you need to also see other aspect, such as could you grow if you're in management? Etc People management and leadership can be found in (a good) management role. They are eventually useful inside and outside of work. As an IC, you need to hone the technical fundamental and the creative side of the business. You need to survive by being reliable in solving different problems at different time for people. With the pace we are going with technology, you need to find the essence, the fundamentals, the universals, and to be more careful with the next best shiny techs. Being in IC is also not a reason to not learn leadership. Sharing my personal exp: I really want to be in managerial to learn more about people, but my expertise lies more in my deeply technical skill and my workplace need me as IC. So here I am in the IC role. I was in the managerial role a couple of times and I realize it is truly a challenge to move and rouse people without the ability to pay them! We both are working and getting paid by the same company, but somehow here I should be the one giving instructions. It needs a certain confidence to be good at it. Whichever you choose, keep creating, keep living, and good luck! |