Sure go for a management position early, I was a software team lead before 30 and a department head over 40 people by 35. But, know when to back off, what being a department head taught me is that I hate full time, full up management with no technical component at all with a passion. I can do it, and I can still say I am proud of the work my department did, but I will never go back to that level of management. I am happiest at the small team lead (5–8 people) or solo senior software engineer levels.

After the burnout of several years of pure management I took a pay cut to be happy, it hasn’t all been roses, but I know that it would have been worse if I had continued on the path I was on. So, my advice to go with this article, find something that both keeps you reasonably happy and fits your chosen career. Don’t take or go looking for the promotion just because others expect you to make the jump that is probably the worst reason there is to change jobs.