I've decided if I should be a manager or an IC
I was sitting in a hotel lounge next to the Klarna office, enjoying a pasta salad and a beer at the after-party of a Klarna product and design event. I struck up a conversation with another Klarna designer, and soon we were discussing promotions.
Them: "Are you going for a promotion this cycle?"
Me: "Nah, it's too early, but I'm aiming for Associate Principal by the end of the year"
Them: "Wait, IC? I thought you'd go for the lead role. That would be a great fit for you."
That's when the decision I had made two years ago began to crumble. As a senior designer, I had asked myself before: "What's next? Lead (manager) or Associate Principal?" I had gone back and forth because there was no straightforward answer for me. Each option had its own set of pros and cons.
Design Lead
Pros:
I enjoy coaching and helping others reach their goals
I enjoy improving processes and creating systems
It could help me improve my online course for getting into big tech companies
Cons:
I would improve less in my craft
More administrative work and meetings
More politics
Associate Principal
Pros:
I can continue to do what I know, but with bigger problems
Easier to measure direct contribution and improve
The skills I gain would help me create my own product or become a consultant
Cons:
At Klarna, the IC role is very visual design-focused, and I am more drawn to the business side
The role is still new, so things aren't the smoothest
I had previously decided to go for the Associate Principal role because I wanted to be hands-on with shaping the product. That's why I switched from being a UX researcher to becoming a product designer. However, when my colleague expressed surprise, I began to question my decision.
So I turned to my career coach for advice. He told me something that made the decision clear: "You can always switch back." If I didn't like the role, I could go back to my previous position. The best decision, then, would be to aim to become a Lead Designer, which would give me a new experience. This way, I would have experienced both roles and could make a definitive decision.
So here it is: I will aim to become a Lead Designer this year. I'll keep you updated on my journey.
Bidaay,
Dan