Should I be a manager or engineer?
Asked by __HELLO__
I am an electrical engineer. Recently I am promoted to manage 4 people in addition to my engineering responsibility. I really hate managing people. Dealing with their attendances, people's issues, their sick days, make sure they follow process, following up and baby sit people who report to me etc. I really enjoy what I do as an engineer. Doing technical stuff. But I fee like if I want to advance I need to manage people which I don't like. Should I continue managing people evenif I don't like and not do engineering work which I like? BTW my pay is same either way.

Best Answer:
I doubt that your employer would give you the option to not manage these people since it seems your new job requires you to do so. What I find strange is that you did not receive a raise with this promotion. Here are a couple of approaches - Tell your boss that the new responsibilities are compromising your performance as an engineer. Ask for a raise so that if you need to work extra hours get things done, you will be compensated in some way. Another option is to ask for extra paid leave time each month or extra earned vacation time each month. This will at least give you some sense of fairness and your moral won't go down. Tell your boss that both you and the company want the best job performance you can give them. The other approach may require stepping down from the promotion if management is a requirement of your new job. Take a look at the totem pole there. Are there positions into which you could be promoted? Are the opportunities there, even potentially? If not, you could tell your boss that you are best serving the company as a full-time engineer and that management is not your strongest skill. No need to beat around the bush. Just be honest. All in all, I think you should give it more time to pan out. Perhaps, you will develop skills that will work. Talk to some other people there who manage staff and see if they can offer ideas. Or check out some books. We all want to see you succeed at this company and rise in the ranks. If the opportunity is there, consider this as another step in developing as an employee and person. Good luck to you!

Sounds like you are doing twice the job for the same pay... I personally would want to be happy, if I did not like to manage employee's I would go back to my previous duties but the question is will your company allow this? Did you sign a contract? Otherwise I would ask for more money since your duties increased. Talk with your supervisor about your options...
Answered by 1Smart Blonde

Engineers are often in managerial or superviory positions. It's part of being a professional and having a support staff. I would stick with it and chalk it up to self improvement.
Answered by eddygordo19