Thread: My next career advancement is a managerial role but I don't want it...advice?

So, I work in biotech and I seem to be capped in terms of salary. I more than qualify for a multitude of supervisory/managerial positions. My pay would put me in the low 6 figure range, but I really don't want to deal with the duties associated with being a manager....mainly because, in biotech, the difference between the role i'm currently in and a lead role is I'll be in charge of hiring and firing turning in payroll and dealing with bullchit "he said-she said" HS drama complaints from grown ass adults.

...what i'm trying to do is weigh out my options (my sanity vs a higher income) It would be a significant pay bump ($30k+) but i'm sure i'll get r*ped by Uncle Sam as well.

thoughts?

Originally Posted by Maestro

So, I work in biotech and I seem to be capped in terms of salary. I more than qualify for a multitude of supervisory/managerial positions. My pay would put me in the low 6 figure range, but I really don't want to deal with the duties associated with being a manager....mainly because, in biotech, the difference between the role i'm currently in and a lead role is I'll be in charge of hiring and firing turning in payroll and dealing with bullchit "he said-she said" HS drama complaints from grown ass adults.

...what i'm trying to do is weigh out my options (my sanity vs a higher income) It would be a significant pay bump ($30k+) but i'm sure i'll get r*ped by Uncle Sam as well.

thoughts?

I'm a mid level manager and have been offered a plant manager position at another company, it entails a slightly higher pay bump then yours but comes with 4 times the headaches from my current position. I turned it down as I don't need the extra stress and bs.

I declined managerial positions for many years because I loved my job and didn't want to be too far removed from it. Eventually I moved on and it wasn't as bad as I thought, perhaps because the time was right. No advice from me, just wishing you good luck with your decision.

Originally Posted by Maestro

So, I work in biotech and I seem to be capped in terms of salary. I more than qualify for a multitude of supervisory/managerial positions. My pay would put me in the low 6 figure range, but I really don't want to deal with the duties associated with being a manager....mainly because, in biotech, the difference between the role i'm currently in and a lead role is I'll be in charge of hiring and firing turning in payroll and dealing with bullchit "he said-she said" HS drama complaints from grown ass adults.

...what i'm trying to do is weigh out my options (my sanity vs a higher income) It would be a significant pay bump ($30k+) but i'm sure i'll get r*ped by Uncle Sam as well.

thoughts?

I've passed up on many opportunities to become a manager for the same reasons. I like what I do, make good money, and don't want to deal with drama.

I'll tale a contrarian position. As a manager yes the BS is real and a crap part of the job and you do spend most of the time motivating staff and meetings. But if you do want to advance this is the only path and especially if looking to get a senior position need to work through and prove you are a capable manager before making mid 6 figures or more. So if money is not a concern, then by all means dont worry about it - but if you think down the road you may have a change of heart be careful because refusing the role may get you labeled and may not get a second chance.

Originally Posted by BKLYNBOY

I'll tale a contrarian position. As a manager yes the BS is real and a crap part of the job and you do spend most of the time motivating staff and meetings. But if you do want to advance this is the only path and especially if looking to get a senior position need to work through and prove you are a capable manager before making mid 6 figures or more. So if money is not a concern, then by all means dont worry about it - but if you think down the road you may have a change of heart be careful because refusing the role may get you labeled and may not get a second chance.

Yeah, thats true. I kinda had an idea of the responses i'd receive in this thread, I guess I just needed to hear it from someone else. They haven't picked me personally, but I know its coming. the only guy with seniority over me is about to retire and my current boss has one foot out the door. They'd replace my co-worker with a temp, but they'd want someone with knowledgeable experience in the company to take over the managerial role and all eyes are pointing at me at the moment.

Originally Posted by blue9steel

I've done technical roles, combined roles and manager roles. There are tradeoffs for each. Bottom line if you want to be paid the most you need have a skillset that is both in-demand and rare, what that means will vary depending on your field. If you're in biotech then the other option is likely to go back to school and get a Phd.

i've got my Masters. You're right, Its tempting to go back to school because I can make a really good wage while safely staying from the top of the totem pole.

People often say that they want to be "challenged" on their job, but to me, thats BS. I want to coast through my job and not have to deal with stressful complications or deal with being called at 2:15 AM because some problem that arises on the graveyard shift. I don't want my job to be my life. I have plenty of activities I want to take care of and pursue outside of working.

I never passed up promotions when I was in the corporate world and I regret that a couple of times. The field I was in was very cut throat and when I got into senior management, the pressure was unimaginable. I survived it all but I would have been happier making a few less bucks in a less stressful position.

Management isn’t too bad. You’d want Six Sigma certification, but that’s based on what you’re managing, the industry.

Originally Posted by Maestro

People often say that they want to be "challenged" on their job, but to me, thats BS. I want to coast through my job and not have to deal with stressful complications or deal with being called at 2:15 AM because some problem that arises on the graveyard shift. I don't want my job to be my life. I have plenty of activities I want to take care of and pursue outside of working.

Exactly!
In a previous life I have 30 years of plastic extrusion experience and after I left one job of 15 years I had headhunters contacting me and using that line "we think based on your experience you would like this challenge"....NO NO NO, I do not want that challenge at all, have lost enough hair as it is and simply don't need it. I want easy kindergarten type $hit.