Degree educated but won't go for managerial jobs

[MiaMarshmallows]

Anyone else know someone like this? This person is a family member. None of my business I know but I do wonder.
She is degree educated, has health issues and made redundant from a job she had been in for years (Well below her skill set but she loved it.)
Just feel she is really doing herself a disservice and feels like it's lack of confidence more than anything.

Some people prefer to do a job than tell someone else how to do it.

If she has health issues maybe she doesn't want the extra stress and responsibility?

And why is it your concern?

Not everyone wants to manage people. I did for 20 plus years, I changed jobs 8 years ago, and never again want to manage people

Not everyone wants the responsibility of a managerial position
Each to their own

I have a BA, an MA and am studying for another MA. Management is my idea of hell.

I'm degree educated and the last thing I want is a managerial job. If I go for that then I lose the face to face interaction with service users and become a pen-pusher.

I also like the easier life thank you!

Also why do you care?

@MuddyWalks

Depends how you view success. Personally I view it as personal contentment. An enjoyable non stressful life is success for me.

I believe this completely.

Also, a degree does not automatically equate to managerial roles.

Educating yourself is never a waste, it's personal choice if you use that in a career or from a personal development or enjoyment point of view.

You don’t mention in what industry this person works, which makes a huge difference, but you are equating two totally different things.

I work in a specialist organisation which carries out specific work for the government as a non-departmental public body. Being great at one’s specialist function doesn’t make one management material. Our most knowledgable and experienced specialist staff, educated up to Doctoral level, don’t in the main work as managers because their skills aren’t in management, they’re in their specialist fields. I’ve been with the organisation for over 20 years and have just declined the chance to move into a senior management role, despite having management experience, because I don’t enjoy being taken away from my specialist work, and find it draining to manage people. Having a small lift in pay (5%) wouldn’t be worth it to me to lose my present role for something I don’t enjoy as much, and which would effectively halt my specialist development.

Managing people to deliver team and corporate goals requires a particular set of skills and behaviours, and it’s rarely the people who are great contributors at an individual level who are best equipped with these.

Managerial doesn't have to be better.
Some people are very well paid for their expertise expertise don't manage anyone.

Manager jobs often want someone with manager experience, and it's hard to get that unless you are promoted within a company. I have a degree and never been qualified for manager jobs as I don't have management experience.

I have 2 degrees and no interest in managing anyone.

@WonkyCactus

I've got a degree, I've been working for nearly 20 years now and have never managed anyone. I'm just not interested in progressing to management, I'm happy at my level. It's not for everyone.

And conversely, my niece who left school with not very good A-levels, is a manager at a major supermarket and doing very well.

My DP hasn't gone for management either (he also has a degree in computer science). But he has preferred to stay really technical and do the work as he finds it interesting rather than management things/people. And good on him - I am pleased he is happy!

I have a degree and and am most definitely not cut out for people management. Data management yes but not people!

I’m like this! I just don’t feel I have the personality to manage anyone, it’s never been of interest. I’m confident and outgoing (albeit with diagnosed anxiety) and have a MA and I have a niche/skilled job which I love but I don’t want to manage anyone, manage budgets, sit in billions of meetings and have loads of work stress - I know it would be awful for my MH.

Managing people, being responsible for a team meeting targets and reporting to the Board, or Director level definitely isn't for everyone! Having a degree doesn't change your personality.

As others have said manager jobs can end up being mostly about looking after your direct reports, there’s a lot of admin and it’s even more work if any of your team need extra support or oversight. Some people don’t want to spending their working day on those tasks and want to get more stuck in with their main job.

Also I know manager is seen as a stepping stone to becoming more senior, but not everyone is cut out for it. As evidenced but how many shitty line managers people post about on MN. Being knowledgable about your job and experienced doesn’t mean you’d be good at managing people.

What has having a degree got to do with being a manager?? 🤔

I have a degree and am in a managerial role which I loathe. Aim this year is to take a step down!

As everyone else says ... having a degree which nearly anyone can get these days does not mean you can be a good 'manager'.

I do volunteering with a number of graduates who, sadly, are completely unemployable .... for the most basic jobs, let alone management.

I have a degree, graduated 25 years ago. Never been a manager. No desire to be a manager.

And yes as others have pointed out - having a degree alone isn’t enough to be a good manager. If it was - imagine 21 year olds fresh out of uni getting a jobs managing complex teams in industries and job type they’re brand new to.

Jobs don't grow on trees! Sometimes it simply isn't possible to progress or perhaps you really like your job because it gives back to society. I like my job because I'm directly helping people but I'll never get rich. I do manage volunteers, but I'm the only paid staff

I'm fairly senior but there is no way I would want to be a manager. You get dumped with all the shit problems & managing drama. I love my job, it uses my skill set very well and I don't want to be dealing with people. If you're a people person then management can be for you but if you're not then it's hell on earth imo.

@DeathAndTaxis

But you can do a degree in so many different things, it doesn't necessarily make you suited to management. I've got three, but I'd be a terrible manager 😄.

Three bachelors? Why?

Prior to me having my degree I was in a managerial position. I hated it. Money and hours were great but hated the job.

I toom 4 years to retrain and now I have a degree in a vocational subject I have no desire to ever manage people again.

A degree does not equal manager!

Managing teams of people can be stressful. Just because you have a degree it doesn't mean you'd want to do it. I prefer technical niche type jobs myself.