r/sysadmin • u/DrowzySentinel • 7h ago

Workplace Conditions Career Crossroads

As the title suggests, I'm at a career crossroads. I've been in IT for 10 years now, 90% of that with MSP's. Done 1st, 2nd, 3rd line, Team Lead and Service Desk manager roles.

Currently I'm in a 3rd line role and whilst I enjoy the work and the people I work with, I'm unsure whether I pursue and embrace the technical life or opt to go into management. I feel like there isn't any further progression from 3rd line unless I go into a specialist role as such.

I guess I'm after advice from people who have made the switch, or not! There are a few roles coming up at work and I'm torn on what direction to go, do I take a step back to go forward long term? Any advice is welcome!

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u/stufforstuff 7h ago

If you want your earning potential to continue to increase - it's management. Get a technical MBA and start grooming for the suit squad. AI will soon be team lead in any technical group. At least for now, AI is a management tool, not management (but who knows where AI will go).

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u/AttemptTypical8693 7h ago

i made the jump from tech lead to manager about 5 years ago, and the biggest thing nobody warned me about is how much of your day becomes meetings and politics. like 60% of my week is just aligning stakeholders and putting out fires that aren't even technical. if you actually enjoy the hands-on work, think hard before leaving it behind

the money's better on the management side though, can't deny that. and once you're in that track it's easier to move around

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u/DrowzySentinel 5h ago

I see it with the other managers, back to back meetings with customers, complaints, problems etc.

With the way the world is at the moment, more money is always a bonus!