> You clearly loathe your current role and you tried to become an IC but was that because you wanted to? Or were you just looking for an escape route out of your current predicament (ie, management, but not really management)?
Yes I figured there's no time to be hands-on learning anything during work hours, but I didn't have motivation to work outside of work, even on my career, so I was hoping to move into an IC to learn something, but it was denied by my management.
> Would you be happy in a management role in a different organisation?
Yes, I think I kind of have no choice at my level . It's easy to find someone with four years of experience in my field who can do IC work. I feel management brings strategic and communication experience that an IC often cannot do well.
>Personally, I spent a lot of my career in smaller companies (<100 employees) as IC and management but it was when I was in management in larger companies, that I hated the role. Company size matters when it comes to your role.
>So maybe a management role in a smaller company might suit?
Yes, I think a startup might work for me. Give more autonomy.
The dilemma I have, how do you have time to study for a new job, when your current job doesn't allow that time?
Take meds that keep you awake and study at night / on weekends? Or take time off to do it and risk being aged out forever?