Re:Ask HN: Transitioning to a Solutions Engineer / Sales Eng...
by wonderingyogi on Sunday April 16, 2023 @04:39AM
(#35588272)
I have a startup/tech background, but transitioned to solution architect at a big corp because I wanted to deal with the business side of things. I also couldn't imagine myself doing tech for another 10-20 years. Here's my 2 cents:
1. Tech itself becomes secondary to the solution. Sometimes the solution may require tech choices you wouldn't agree with under normal circumstances. This is especially difficult if you are from a tech background.
2. You are still selling your company's services so the solution you chose has to take that into account. Your goal is not just to solve the customer's problem, but also lock them into your service.
3. You will spend a lot more time doing powerpoints. I often spent more time crafting powerpoints than coding. It is important to get the right point across to your client than it is to build the product. You are selling at the end of the day. Learning to communicate is key.
4. You will deal with many non-technical/non-software people. Whether it's your clients, or other people in your department. They won't know what you are doing, but they will have an opinion on how to do it. Managing expectations is part of the job.
5. Politics. Sometimes you will spend time on presenting to a client, even though you know full well they don't have the budget. But you still do it because of politics.
6) Politics. Even if you present the best solution with the best value, your project might not get chosen because... drum roll.. politics. I can't emphasize this enough. There are a lot of politics involved on the solution side.
Personally, because I have a startup background, I already had exposure to the business side of stuff. I actually found it underwhelming working at a big corp doing business because the scope is so narrow. I don't want to discourage you from switching though. It is a good learning experience. I have seen a VP at Big tech that did tech/startup for many years, then solutions for 1-2 years, and then finally, move into management. Working in solutions helps broaden your perspective, which will help you connect with other senior managers in other departments.
1. Tech itself becomes secondary to the solution. Sometimes the solution may require tech choices you wouldn't agree with under normal circumstances. This is especially difficult if you are from a tech background.
2. You are still selling your company's services so the solution you chose has to take that into account. Your goal is not just to solve the customer's problem, but also lock them into your service.
3. You will spend a lot more time doing powerpoints. I often spent more time crafting powerpoints than coding. It is important to get the right point across to your client than it is to build the product. You are selling at the end of the day. Learning to communicate is key.
4. You will deal with many non-technical/non-software people. Whether it's your clients, or other people in your department. They won't know what you are doing, but they will have an opinion on how to do it. Managing expectations is part of the job.
5. Politics. Sometimes you will spend time on presenting to a client, even though you know full well they don't have the budget. But you still do it because of politics.
6) Politics. Even if you present the best solution with the best value, your project might not get chosen because... drum roll.. politics. I can't emphasize this enough. There are a lot of politics involved on the solution side.
Personally, because I have a startup background, I already had exposure to the business side of stuff. I actually found it underwhelming working at a big corp doing business because the scope is so narrow. I don't want to discourage you from switching though. It is a good learning experience. I have seen a VP at Big tech that did tech/startup for many years, then solutions for 1-2 years, and then finally, move into management. Working in solutions helps broaden your perspective, which will help you connect with other senior managers in other departments.