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Land Your First Role as an Engineering Manager

Hosted by Kelly Vaughn and Emma Bostian

Thu, Nov 20, 2025

5:00 PM UTC (45 minutes)

Virtual (Zoom)

Free to join

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Engineering Leadership in the AI Era
Kelly Vaughn
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What you'll learn

Key skills that help you stand out for your first EM role

Understand what hiring managers look for when promoting an IC to EM, and how to start building them now.

How to express interest in management

Learn how to tell your manager you’re ready to grow without it feeling awkward or premature.

What to expect in your first few months as a manager

Hear what surprised Emma most about the transition and how to set yourself up for early success.

Why this topic matters

Breaking into management can feel like a black box, especially if you’ve never had a manager walk you through the process. This session offers a transparent look at what it takes to land your first EM role and how to confidently navigate that transition when the opportunity comes.

You'll learn from

Kelly Vaughn

Sr. Engineering Manager @ Zapier

Over the past decade, Kelly has helped hundreds of engineers and ICs grow into confident, effective leaders. Drawing on her background as a trained therapist, she offers unique insights into management challenges. Her practical approach is built on firsthand experience leading cross-functional teams across product, engineering, and operations.

Emma Bostian

Engineering Manager @ Spotify

Emma is an American Engineering Manager at Spotify in Stockholm. She is also a Frontend Masters and LinkedIn Learning instructor and cohost of the Ladybug Podcast.

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