Careers and pay
Individual contributor
Someone who does the work themselves rather than managing people. Many technical companies have an IC track, so senior people can progress without becoming managers. Often shortened to IC.
You'll hear it as
She stayed on the IC track and became a principal engineer.
Why it matters to you.
You don't have to manage people to progress. Check whether your company has a real IC track, with real pay, before assuming management is the only way up.
Also called IC.
Related terms.
Videos.
Mentioned in 2 videos, plus more on Careers & hiring.
Too many meetings and no time left for the work itself? Stop scheduling the ones you call, push back…, watch on Instagram