Is Management Inevitable

Hi Andy,

All engineers reach a point where this question needs to be answered.

For me, I chose the management route because I wanted to control my career within the company.  Yes, I had to do a lot of non-engineering tasks, but then I got to choose the projects that I worked on.

I also found that I could direct young engineers to the point where they could become an extension of my skill by directing their hands and minds.  We did a lot of incredible projects.

I also have a close friend who just said no.  He finally retired a few years ago with no regrets.  To him, smelling the solder smoke and chasing signals through a circuit was his idea of fun.  So he just continued to do that.  Yes, he sometimes had to do some unpleasant jobs, but to him, it was fun.  I fully understood his position and he was good enough that his employer was smart enough to just use him for his strength rather than risk losing him to another company if they forced him into a management job.

My advice to anyone facing this decision is to ask yourself one basic question.  What do you want to do?  If you love doing technology at the hands on level, stay an engineer.

If you want to work closely with people and mentor others, go into management.  Whichever way you go, do what makes you happy.  There is no dollar figure that will compensate you if you hate to go into work every morning.

So make the decision that benefits you most personally. 

DAB

Hi Andy,

All engineers reach a point where this question needs to be answered.

For me, I chose the management route because I wanted to control my career within the company.  Yes, I had to do a lot of non-engineering tasks, but then I got to choose the projects that I worked on.

I also found that I could direct young engineers to the point where they could become an extension of my skill by directing their hands and minds.  We did a lot of incredible projects.

I also have a close friend who just said no.  He finally retired a few years ago with no regrets.  To him, smelling the solder smoke and chasing signals through a circuit was his idea of fun.  So he just continued to do that.  Yes, he sometimes had to do some unpleasant jobs, but to him, it was fun.  I fully understood his position and he was good enough that his employer was smart enough to just use him for his strength rather than risk losing him to another company if they forced him into a management job.

My advice to anyone facing this decision is to ask yourself one basic question.  What do you want to do?  If you love doing technology at the hands on level, stay an engineer.

If you want to work closely with people and mentor others, go into management.  Whichever way you go, do what makes you happy.  There is no dollar figure that will compensate you if you hate to go into work every morning.

So make the decision that benefits you most personally. 

DAB