[tw04]

> IBM has never a company where engineers could rise to the same ranks as directors and higher with a solid IC track.

Never? Maybe if you’re talking the last 15-20 years, but IBM has been around a lot longer than that…

I personally know people who moved up the ranks there to director and above, so I can say with confidence you’re absolutely wrong.

[rabbits77]

Yes! It’s sad how ignorant of IBM and US technology industry history some of these comments are. Then again, I suppose every generation does a lot of its own “this time we’re different” myth making. Not everyone has the wisdom to see the broader context.

[darkwater]

Indeee. I think because for younger generation is physically impossible to have experienced it, while for the older generations it's complicated to get into a disruptive startup.

Obviously people could read about the past, but sometimes that's asking too much, they are busy creating "the future".

[ethbr1]

Also, you know, there probably aren't that many posters on HN who worked at AT&T in the 60s...

[tw04]

If you can’t be bothered to read up on why previously great companies fell from grace, you’re kind of begging to repeat their mistakes…

[VirusNewbie]

>I personally know people who moved up the ranks there to director and above,

I didn't mean that engineers can't become directors, I meant that IBM didn't have a track for top ICs to get paid more than directors and still not be on a manager track.