Being Geek

Chapter 36. The Curse of the Silicon Valley

In 20 years of engineering life in the Silicon Valley, I have never heard an engineering manager tell me, “My degree in engineering management sure came in handy there.” In fact, outside of company-sponsored management training, I’ve never heard of training specifically in engineering management. I’m certain it exists, but the fact that no coworker I’ve ever worked with has showered praise on an external engineering management class is intriguing.

Many of us spend years in college becoming computer scientists. So, where are the managers coming from? How are they getting trained?

The answers are both a blessing and a curse. Let’s start with the good news.

Apprenticeship

You are in an industry where, for the most part, your managers used to be you.

That’s right.

They have the same degrees you have. They have been through all the trials and tribulations of being an engineer. The names of the companies are different, and they probably know a few long-forgotten languages, but the core problems they faced are the same:

• The product is late.

• We have too many bugs.

• I believe Product Marketing is insane.

• No one is writing anything down.

• My manager is out of touch.

Really. Your current manager used to sit in your chair and think, “Who is this schmo and how in the world did he get this gig because I’m not sure he even knows what we do.”

He does, because he did.

We’ll talk in the next chapter about the process of becoming a manager, but we’re going to start by acknowledging ...