[brmgb]

> So basically, to advance in career as an IC, you're effectively relying on the good graces of your employer (to have a track for you to advance in).

I understand what you mean and understand your frustration with the article. It makes the mistake of confusing advancing your career and getting a new title and introduces a career ladder out of thin air before presenting as the career ladder.

Still, I think you are complaining about the wrong thing in that advancing your career does indeed mean convincing the people employing you that you could do more and are worth more. That's the only way to get more money and responsibilities which is what people usually mean when they talk of advancing their career. So, if you don't want to manage people, well, you have to build some kind of expertise which the place you work for values because if it's not valued, you are going nowhere.