How old were you when you became director/VP

[chatenoire]

So I'm turning 40 this year and I'm starting to think I'm getting too old to ever be one.
I've been (but that was 6 years ago). And ever since I was made redundant, I've been an individual contributor in two different roles. I'm moving again to another IC role with a glimmer of maybe growing to having people reporting to me. So am I too old to keep climbing? I know it's probably my turning 40 crisis

I've tried to figure that one out. In my previous job, having a PM certification was desirable, but never went that way because I found them boring. I'd much prefer getting a data science certification, but don't really know how helpful it would be. I think my new role will be pivotal in trying to figure out the path to VP (or Director at the very least).

What sort of career path should one follow to make it to such positions?

Realise it'll vary sector to sector but would appreciate some pointers!

I think women need to talk about progressing in the work place, we shouldn't all be happy at the bottom of the hierarchy and sharing information about how it worked for you is never going to be detrimental.

Bit surprised there's an assumption I might be at 'the bottom of the hierarchy' just because I think it's strange that 40 year old woman thinks she might be 'past it' because she's not a VP.

To me, that's a really awful mindset to have been cornered into. I'm
49, head of a high achieving department but don't have the title of 'VP'. I love what I do, I'm paid well and have a good work/life balance. It's never occurred to me that I might be 'past it' because I don't have the title of 'Director'. And that's why it's peak MN.

I can only speak from my experience (in tech).

Support/SDR> Customer Success/ Engagement Manager / Account Manager > Senior + previous title > Head of Professional Services/ Success /Onboarding > Director + previous department > Sr Director / VP > SVP > CCO (Chief Customer Officer)

Title structure will vary according to industry and even company to company so it's better to focus on salary, remit and responsibilities.
That then needs to be overlaid with work life balance and as others have said how much you want it.

I work in investment banking where the title route is Analyst, Associate, VP, SVP, Director, Sr Director, Managing Director and then Senior Managing Director which will include CFO, COO and CEO. Heads of departments/ teams will generally be D, Sr D or MD level. This would also include our tech / IT functions so if you were to move to banking a D role would be more senior than VP.

Part of my role it to oversee the promotions process and I would say that the average age for D / Sr D promotions are mid to late 30s and MD are late 30s to mid 40s, but there are certainly older people in both ranges. The general feel in my company is you get to Sr VP by doing your job well; beyond that it's more difficult - it's as much about the role as the person, eg having to build a business, portfolio or function.

I joined my company as an Associate and it took me 12 years to get to MD (I was 38). I would say key to my career progression was working extremely long hours so I could take on extra projects / ad hoc tasks. At least twice a week I would work past 11pm, plus logging on at home to work at weekends. I also talked to everyone; I'm naturally nosy so always knew what was going on in all other parts of the business and got involved in things beyond my remit.

😂 I think you made an assumption that I made an assumption about you! 😂

@Chewbecca Ok, I'll assume you didn't make an assumption about my assumption. 😂

Director of a company at 35

Now 45 and own my own business

I made Director at 39, I work for a large multinational with +80k employees globally. My role is 2 positions removed from the CEO/President, there are 5 grades below mine. I am one of the younger ones though - most at my level are mid 40s to early 50s, as are my peers in comparator organizations.

I think what worked for me was a fairly niche job, with a unique skill set gained from experience across many different industries and companies. My early CV seems sort of random and all over the place but all that was eventually seen as a plus because it’s so diverse and unusual. I also job hopped a lot early on, worked in many different countries etc. which is a good way to increase your salary and responsibilities quickly.

All this to say: no, you’re not too old!

I think my CV looks a bit random too. Yes, there's a connection between all the roles and you can see why to some extent I could transition to other roles, but it's definitely random! I've been working "professionally" ever since I was 22/23 but the first 4 years were all in journalism.

Some recruiter once told me I could somewhat easily move to Head of Customer support, but in tech that would be a ceiling for sure.

OP I think if you have two degrees that is enough unless you are an academic.
As others have said think about work life balance. I work 7am -9pm. And answer calls every day. I did these hours and more from 25.
Would I do it again? Nope. I wish I had been an academic. It would have suited me and I am now knackered and desperately want to retire. I have a med student DD so that costs!

If peak MN is successful women sharing their career path then good.

I did the "being on call" for years. I actually found an article on Vice around a PR crisis I had to handle. I enjoyed it. With my previous role I was travelling for a week every month (at the very least), again I enjoyed it.

So I'm happy to work the extra hours, it suits me (and my personality). I tend to call it "good stress".