S1E6 From self-taught developer to engineering manager with Incident's Alicia Collymore
Oct 7, 2024
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Alicia Collymore, Senior Engineering Manager at Incident.io, shares her journey from self-taught developer to leadership. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from a tech lead to an engineering manager. Alicia emphasizes the importance of collaborative goal-setting, especially for engineers who are reluctant to engage. She also delves into the intricacies of managing a major Microsoft Teams integration project, highlighting user needs and effective project management strategies.
Alicia Collymore emphasizes the significance of self-learning and determination in securing a tech role without a formal degree.
The podcast highlights the importance of collaborative goal-setting between managers and engineers to align personal aspirations with business objectives.
Deep dives
Journey into Engineering Management
The speaker shares their initial fascination with engineering, sparked by the early days of the internet, which led to self-taught web development skills. Starting with PHP and WordPress, the speaker transitioned to more advanced app development, learning through available resources such as articles, as video tutorials were limited at the time. They managed to secure their first job in tech despite not having a degree or prior experience, reflecting the importance of determination and hands-on learning in the field. This journey exemplifies the potential for growth and opportunity generated from a passion for understanding technology.
Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Management
The process of moving from an individual contributor role to a management position occurred naturally for the speaker, who gravitated towards improving processes and team dynamics. They took on a tech lead role where they engaged in discussions about team practices and processes without formal managerial responsibilities. A suggestion from their manager to pursue a management track prompted a reflection on the challenges of guiding others’ careers, highlighting the balance between providing direction and allowing individual agency. Overall, the experience emphasizes the evolving nature of leadership and the significance of nurturing team development.
Setting Collaborative Goals
The speaker discusses the challenges managers face when trying to set goals for team members who may be resistant to the idea. They promote a collaborative approach to goal setting, where managers and team members work together to brainstorm ideas in a pressure-free environment, leading to more meaningful and motivating goals. This process addresses the common notion that engineers may not desire goals, showing that with the right encouragement, they often have aspirations that can align with business objectives. By facilitating this dialogue, managers can foster an environment that values personal growth while also serving organizational needs.
Alicia Collymore, a Senior Engineering Manager at Incident.io joins the show to chat about entering the industry without a formal computer science degree, transitioning from tech lead to management, setting goals for people who don't want them, and her priority zero of a big Microsoft Teams integration.
03:10 From self-learning to getting her big break
06:00 Transitioning from Tech Lead to Engineering Manager
12:00 The key to good hiring
15:00 Setting goals for engineers
17:30 Delivering a big MS Teams integration project
Alicia's recommendation: Medusa by Rosie Hewlett
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