Job opportunity versus enjoying what you do. (Page 1/2) Jake_Dragon NOV 21, 12:00 PM I have been working in IT for 25 years now. Its been a rewarding career just not always as lucrative as I would have liked. Transitioning to management I do not get that same reward. There are perks and the money is nice but end of the day I have always been an engineer. I do enjoy working with the team and passing on what knowledge I have gathered in those 25 years. But some days its just not the same. My management want me to start taking a broader role in the organization. But 100% that will be the end of my technical support role and will move me into managing the technicians that now fill those roles and appoint leads to fill my current role. Its a great opportunity, I do enjoy the work but I miss getting my hands dirty and fixing things. I'm already 80% in the role now, not much of a path back to where I was. I know some of you have had to make the same choice, just looking for some like minded people and perhaps some positive feedback. RWDPLZ NOV 21, 12:44 PM I'm actively trying to avoid it, been offered twice now. I've noticed at least where I work, great engineers make terrible managers. If you have to take the management path, make sure it's where you can continue to move up the corporate ladder making more and more money to make the frustration worth it. Doug85GT NOV 21, 01:34 PM I am in a similar situation. I have been coding for nearly 20 years. I have a lot of institutional knowledge and do my job well. My managers want me to move into management. I know that if I do I will a few hundred more a month but I will never be able to touch code again. I don't want to do that. I get a lot of satisfaction from making things that work and are easy to maintain. Jake_Dragon NOV 21, 02:34 PM Thank you! When I first started as a supervisor it was a working position, I still got involved in the day to day work and first hand mentoring of jr people on the team. I enjoyed that the most. But evolution is a real thing and now I'm a manager and instead of managing IT equipment I now manage IT people. Its a lot harder to turn them off and back on. The role requires a lot of trust unless you plan on sitting on your team, I do not manage that way. It would be nice to have a good nest egg when I am ready to retire. Hank is Here NOV 21, 05:17 PM Look at the plus side. Your role changes from the "what" [provide support] to be able to influence "how" support is delivered in a more efficient manner. You can influence the and select tools and methods used. Try to not look at it as managing people but partnering with them on how to make the techs work life better. blackrams NOV 21, 06:03 PM If, the Peter Principle ever comes into effect, you'll wish you had stayed where you were. But, while working that direction, one can benefit from the economics. This is obviously a decision one has to make based on their individual goals. Having been in management most of my career, I can only say there were good times and bad times. One thing to remember is, if there's ever a leaning of the workforce, the workers will normally be last on the list to go. Mid-Level and higher are frequently the first to go. Rams maryjane NOV 21, 10:54 PM quote just looking for some like minded people and perhaps some positive feedback There's a reason there is always a shortage of 'managers,' especially 'junior or assistant managers' and it isn't because they all climb the corporate ladder into middle or upper management leaving vacant spots behind. You already know, that Anyone can be a manager. If a little more $$ is all you want to get out of the deal, then there's probably more wrong than what $$ can buy. Jake_Dragon NOV 22, 01:26 AM quote Originally posted by maryjane: There's a reason there is always a shortage of 'managers,' especially 'junior or assistant managers' and it isn't because they all climb the corporate ladder into middle or upper management leaving vacant spots behind. You already know, that Anyone can be a manager. If a little more $$ is all you want to get out of the deal, then there's probably more wrong than what $$ can buy. We have been through some managers. That is a fact I am very aware of cliffw NOV 22, 10:10 AM I always sided on the enjoying what you do side. It's not work if you like to do it. TheDigitalAlchemist NOV 22, 12:20 PM Some great responses here. I think that you need to really think about yourself - your career thus far, how you currently spend your workweek, your current pros and cons... and ideally, how you want to spend the majority of your workweek moving forward? I have turned down several opportunities over the years due to the culture or ethics of the company. Would being a Manager (or being "in Management" make you happy(at at least "content")? Do you feel anything 'negative' when thinking about being one? There was one point where I considered it, but the upper management folks did not like any of the ideas I had, so I would just be frustrated middle manager. As AI advances, there's less need for managers. Unless my salary doubled, I wouldn't want to leave where I am, because my life would not change much. Even though there are some things I rarely do on a regular basis (Image machines, build rigs, etc.) I still do them SOMETIMES. I don't enjoy managing others, unless I get to set the rules - like " you work a 4 day workweek, but you get paid for 5, as long as everyone pulls their weight on the 4 days they are working". That's not that mind-blowing of a concept. I spend 40-50 hours a week working, and about 10 hours commuting. If I didn't 'enjoy' it, or at least be able to "do my side stuff", I wouldn't do it. We have bills. Extra ones due to 'reasons'. I'd do side gigs if I had the energy. But my day job is ok, I am respected and treated well and have some friends and such. I hope you choose wisely, and enjoy your life.