[throwaway127890]

Oooh, this is interesting. I started my career as a consultant before doing startups. It's one area I've debated quite a bit mainly because it doesn't focus on product or sales (unless you're a partner, and even then, "sales" != "client development"). This is helping me think of criteria, so thank you.

Re: technical sales, this is actually a really good idea as it fits my social + technical interests. Curious if you've done this? Curious about your experience.

[topkai22]

Not as a profession, but I worked with our sale/pre-sales side people a fair amount. I can say, generally, they liked the pace, challenge, compensation, and that they constantly got to do new things. Quota was complained about, as was paperwork, tooling, and internal politics/bureaucratic in fighting. Travel was common.

The titles at my company (Microsoft) are generally some sort of “architect” or “specialist” for straight up technical pre sales / sales or “account manager” for a more straight business and relationship side of the house.