So what’s this mythical Technical Account Manager (TAM) role? Why would engineer switch to it? And what kept me in AWS.
With handed resignation in AWS as engineer [1], no new role, and not knowing what I want to do next, I went exploring. Got curious what managers like in their jobs and chatted with Software Development Manager, Technical Program Manager, Product Manager, Director, and TAM.
All sounded nice, but there was no wow. Lastly I met with Mihail Stoyanov to learn about the TAM. Like a professional salesman (TAM is not sales), he sensed what I might be looking for, and started pitching without much context. Immediately I heard things I like..
Easy switch from engineer if you have past experience with customers. Senior role by expectations if you scale your impact. You own your time and decide where to focus. No task board, sprint planning, or deadlines. Fully remote with travel to customers and events. And forget about the wake ups during the night.
For customers you are the go-to person for consultation on existing critical workloads. You decide how to address their needs, by diving deep, bringing expert, or passing to service team. And when you lead to resolution you’re appreciated as their trusted advisor. Your satisfaction then goes through the roof!
..this was it. Mihail sold me the role so hard that I went from “I’m done with AWS” to “maybe I can try internal transfer?”. But had to act quick as it was 1 week before last day, and needed all signs it’s the right move. So I searched & found positions with requirements I meet. Got thumbs up to apply from my new manager, skip, and director. Which was great showmanship of “Strive to be Earth’s Best Employer” principle btw. Checked with 3 TAM managers if I’d be a fit and all were “yes, go for it, now!”. And so I did.
And here I’m 1.5 years later still sold on. With more ads for engineers:
- Want to code? You can find an internal tool or start your own, and build it - how cool is that?!
- Want to interact with leaders? They are now your primary contacts! High level discussions, big impact, and all that. I felt like a teenager joining a gentlemen’s club.
- Want to improve soft skills? You’ll learn from the masters themselves, the Account Managers. You’ll start unlocking doors previously unimaginable.
- Want safety? Goals are all around engaging and enabling the customer be cloud resilient, cost efficient, and happy. Enterprise Support is for AWS large customers with spend of more than $150k, with interesting engagements.
- Your peers are seniors, experience wise, and to an extent years wise. First time I saw the TAMs in a meetup I was so surprised my thoughts were “ahh.. so this is where all of the experienced people in AWS are.. I’m in the right place”.
Sometimes it takes just a chat with new person to unlock new career path - Go explore!
[1] - Speedrun of mistakes