Some of the most active threads in the CF corner of WSO have to do with salary progression based on career level. I'm hoping to spur some discussion on a similar topic but approached from a different direction: We've already established general pay bands by level, so let's try to establish an age range based on industry where top performers can hit those levels.
In your experience, what industries (or companies, even) do a good job of promoting talent regardless of age? What are some industries or companies where hitting the manager level at 26-28 is not uncommon? Or industries with young directors and VPs?
I'll start with a data point: In my A&D company, the top performers can hit SFA after 3-4 years experience, but the absolute youngest managers I've seen are 31-33, and the average age of hitting manager is 35-37. The youngest director I've heard of here is 39, and the average age for hitting director is 45-50. VPs are all 55+. It seems to me that this is one of the slowest industries for career growth.
