Is Management Inevitable

Question

In the career of a engineer is it inevitable that at some point the only way you will continue to progress is to incorporate people management into your role and hence reduce the technical aspects that you enjoy doing?

DAB · Accepted Answer

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

ntewinkel · Answer

I think it really depends on the company you are working for. I started my career in software as an engineer and was assigned to all of the most recent new technologies (Apple Newton, Palm, and Java when it first started, for example). So my skills progressed constantly, and it was very interesting work. Then I worked for a different company as a manager and I felt that my software engineering skills really stagnated as I didn't get to do much "real" hands-on work. But I did enjoy the management work too. Now I'm self-employed so I guess I'm still a manager in a way, and the nice thing is that now I am able to choose what I want to work on. Of course it helps that my choice also happens to be a popular thing these days! If you're thinking in terms of paycheque, then the steps to management and self-employment did progress my career significantly. For me it also increased my enjoyment For me the best situation would be to be a manager with the time and resources to keep exploring all the latest funnest technologies! Cheers, -Nico

Robert Peter Oakes · Answer

It seems we are all in agreement so far, yo have to choose where you want to go. In my experience, this typically leads to management but it does not have to. There are fewer opportunities to stay technical but they do exist. A classic and exemplary example is Bob Pease a staff scientist for National Semiconductors. he stayed hands on all the way to his death in 2011 (Car Crash) at eh age of 70, if it was not for the crash I am sure he would be still making videos on YouTube and teaching us young folks how to build real analog circuits, he was truly amazing and probably went as High in his career as possible without being a manager and that was High. From what I have discovered, several companies have roles like the "Staff Scientist" created specifically to allow people who excel at the technology but don't want to become a manager to continue to grow in the company. So don't think you have to become a manager, you dont. It may be the easier route to fame and fortune but if the passion is there, there are alternatives. btw, f this is the first time your hearing about Bob, you have to go check out his videos, for the subjects he talks about (He Hated Digital) he is absolutely unique and gifted. Bob Pease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Remembering Bob Pease - TI.com proof there are choices

Is Management Inevitable

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