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Jackie Bavaro on getting better at product strategy, what exactly is strategy, PM pitfalls to avoid, advancing your career, getting into management, and much more

with Jackie Bavaro · Jun 2022

IC paths pay as much as management—choose wisely

A senior PM at major tech companies earns as much as doctors or lawyers. The assumption that you must climb to management to earn well is outdated. Understanding salary transparency (via levels.fyi) reveals that IC and management paths offer comparable compensation, so career choice should be based on what work energizes you, not assumed financial necessity.
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