For Senior Engineers Considering Management

Move from IC to Manager with Confidence

Management is not a promotion. It is a career change. Talk to engineering leaders who made the switch and will help you decide if it is right for you, then prepare you to succeed.

Sessions from US$50 60 min sessions Available in 6 hours

Find Your IC-to-Manager Mentor

One session with the right mentor can change everything.

Free to join · Limited mentor availability each week

Mentors from top companies

Sound Familiar?

You're not alone. And you don't have to figure it out by yourself.

Not Sure if Management is Right for You

You enjoy technical work but are curious about leadership. Everyone has an opinion but nobody gives you an honest, nuanced answer about what you would actually be giving up and gaining.

Afraid of Losing Technical Skills

You have spent years building deep technical expertise. The thought of your coding skills atrophying while you sit in meetings all day is genuinely scary.

No Idea How to Actually Manage People

Running 1:1s, giving feedback, handling underperformers, navigating team conflict. These are skills nobody teaches in engineering school or on the job as an IC.

Learn From Engineers at Top Companies

Your next mentor could be a senior engineer at Google, a tech lead at Meta, or a principal at Amazon.

Nicholas Runte Jr.

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Google Uber Nike

Zackary Cummings

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Nike X (Twitter)

Marge Miller II

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Salesforce Oracle Stripe

Ready to find your mentor? Join a community of 122+ professionals →

One conversation could change your career

Join a community of 122+ professionals who found the right mentor. Free to sign up. Book your first session today.

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Honest Guidance from Engineers Who Made the Leap

Our mentors have transitioned from senior and staff IC roles into engineering management at top companies. They will give you an unfiltered view of what changes, help you test whether management suits your strengths, and prepare you for the first 90 days.

Find Your IC-to-Manager Mentor

Honest "Should You Do It?" Assessment

Your mentor will help you evaluate your motivations, personality, and career goals to determine if management is genuinely the right move for you, not just the expected next step.

First 90 Days Playbook

Get a concrete plan for your first three months as a manager: how to build trust, run effective 1:1s, set expectations, and establish yourself as a leader.

People Management Fundamentals

Learn the core skills you will need on day one: feedback delivery, delegation, performance management, and having difficult conversations.

Reversibility Planning

Understand how to structure the transition so you can return to IC if management is not the right fit, without derailing your career.

Get Started in 3 Minutes

From signup to your first booked session. It's that fast.

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Create your account in 30 seconds with Google, LinkedIn, or email. No credit card needed.

Find Your Perfect Mentor

Browse mentors by company, expertise, and availability. Every mentor is vetted and actively working in the industry.

Book & Grow

Pick a time, jump on a video call, and get honest feedback and a clear plan for your next steps. Most users book within 5 minutes of signing up.

Real Results from Real Engineers

Don't take our word for it. Hear from people who've been in your shoes.

“

My mentor helped me navigate a challenging career transition with genuine empathy. Every session was focused on my specific goals, and the personalized guidance gave me the confidence to land a senior role at a top-tier company.

Ana Reyes

Software Engineer

“

The mentorship I received was transformative. My mentor brought deep technical expertise and exceptional communication skills that helped me master system design. I went from struggling with interviews to receiving multiple offers.

Danish Kalim

Software Engineer

“

After months of preparation on my own, I knew I needed expert guidance. Choosing BeTopTen was the best decision - my mentor's targeted feedback on my coding and behavioral interviews directly led to my promotion.

Amruta Rathod

Senior Developer

Start Your Success Story

Got Questions?

Everything you need to know about IC to Manager Transition

How do I know if management is right for me?

Management is right for you if you genuinely enjoy growing other people, are comfortable with ambiguity, and can find fulfillment in outcomes you did not directly produce. Your mentor will dig deeper into your motivations and help you self-assess honestly, not everyone who considers management should pursue it.

Will I lose my technical edge if I become a manager?

Your day-to-day coding will decrease significantly, especially as your team grows. However, your technical judgment and architecture skills remain valuable and relevant. Many successful EMs maintain technical sharpness through code reviews, design reviews, and occasional prototyping. Your mentor will share strategies for staying technical.

Can I go back to IC if I do not like management?

Yes, but the longer you stay in management, the harder the return path becomes. Many companies have formal paths for EM-to-IC transitions. Your mentor will help you evaluate the reversibility of your specific situation and plan accordingly.

Should I become a manager at my current company or a new one?

Internal transitions are generally smoother. You know the codebase, the team, and the culture. However, some companies only promote ICs to management if there is an opening. Your mentor will help you evaluate both options and identify the path with the best odds of success.

What is the biggest mistake new managers make?

Trying to keep doing IC work while also managing. The most common failure mode is the "player-coach" who does neither job well. Your mentor will help you learn to delegate effectively and measure your impact through your team rather than your personal output.

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