Many engineers face a key career choice: stay technical or move into management. The author explores the individual contributor versus manager tracks, weighing personal growth and industry trends.

This dilemma stems from the Peter Principle, where top engineers get promoted into roles they're unprepared for. Companies now recognize dual career paths to retain technical talent while developing leadership.

The author leans toward technical growth but remains open to management roles later. They're also interested in developer advocate work, though their current company lacks formal support for that path.

Career decisions rarely happen overnight. The tech industry increasingly supports flexible paths, including switching between IC and management roles to maintain relevant skills across disciplines.