throwaway02427

Going via architecture is an interesting angle. I certainly feel more comfortable discussing at that high level and know concepts and trade-offs quite well. I do wonder about even going down to the level of what libraries to use. Much seems to have changed there and there is so much now I've never used personally. Was that an issue for you at all?

I am not sure I understood your response correctly. I am doing fine as a manager right now in my current role from a performance perspective. I just feel concerned that my skillset won't translate to anywhere else. Maybe it will. Programming skills always felt more concrete and more obviously valued. I also miss the more direct feedback loop you get as an IC coder. I could try to move up to become VP or move back to become an IC. No idea which one is more viable and even less which one would make me happier.

The same fear is part of what's holding me back as well.