INTRODUCTION:
A job seeker asked, “How can I advance in my career field without managing people.
RESPONSE:
Lets face it. Not everyone wants to be a people manager, and that’s okay. The great news is that being a people manager is not the only way that we can grow our professional impact and salary. So, lets examine four options here.
CAREER ADVANCEMENT – YES, PEOPLE MANAGEMENT – NO:
If you’re aspiring to take your career to the next level, consider these three options if you have no desire to lead a team.
1. Program Management
So, your first consideration might be a program manager post. Program managers study industry trends and best practices and direct programs that connect multiple disciplines or functional areas across their organization. They develop strategy and direct the implementation of that strategy to bring projects to a successful end. They have a high level of accountability and enjoy a great degree of decision-making authority. According to salary.com, in metro Atlanta, GA, the median base salary for program managers is $136,879. Not bad, huh?
2. Product Management
Another alternative is becoming a product manager. In an article titled, “What is a typical product manager salary?,” Roadmap Software company, Aha!, writes that product manager annual salaries can range from around $63K up to $200K annually depending on education, experience, location, and market. In some cases, new grads land jobs paying $90K+ to start. That’s nothing to sneeze at. Not surprisingly, tech industry salaries on America’s West Coast tend to greatly out pace those in other locations and sectors. So, if you’re a computer geek, love fintech, logistics, or enjoy bringing ideas to life, you might want to check this constantly-evolving career field out. Check out Aha!’s article here.
3. Lateral Career Move
Next, a lateral career move might be an attractive move. It took me two and half years after undergraduate to land my first human resources position. My early HR experience was in compensation and job analysis, but, I quickly realized that I wanted to work in Employee Relations. So, I applied for employee relations jobs, but often lost out to candidates who had worked in employee relations.
Then, seven years later, I was chosen for my employer’s cross-training program. Of course, I chose employee relations. The employee relations director was impressed with my performance and I was subsequently offered the next vacancy on the team. I accepted the position in spite of a small pay cut and it has been my best career decision yet. My knowledge has grown. I’ve become more confident and I’ve gotten to represent some awesome organizations. I’ve even served as a witness in a federal discrimination case. Now, my current position as Asst. Director, is heavily recruitment and employee relations focused, which I absolutely love. You know me. I enjoy interacting directly with people.
4. Finally, Become an Unofficial Technology Expert in Your Industry
This route allows you to become an unofficial tech expert in your workplace. Play your cards right and you could quickly become the “go-to” person whom your colleagues and management can’t live without for industry-specific technical platform issues. As you know, technology intimidates many people. So, when it doesn’t work well for them, their anxiety level rises. In addition to a helpdesk team, your employer often needs someone who is knowledgeable about industry-specific technology. Your patience, keen technological sense, and ability to calm and teach others could result in increased productivity and less reliance on consultants. That has a positive effect on your employer’s bottom line and could lead to a new position with higher pay for you. How about that?
CONCLUSION:
Your career should not suffer because you are not made for people management. There are many other ways to add value for your employer. So, don’t despair. Keep watch for innovative ways to expand your knowledge and impact in your field. If you enjoy what you do and are good at it, you could become an indispensable asset in your workplace. That can lead to many added years of career fulfilment.
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Also, remember that my free Job Search Readiness Clinic series is in full effect. We had an awesome first session on Friday. Three more sessions are cooking for today through next Thursday. So, head over to my all-access page to watch the replay and to register for the upcoming sessions. I’d love for you to join me. Until next time…
Career Search Success to You! Go Get Your New Job!
