Anyone not climbed the career ladder?

[Celebrityskin88]

For instance in the school I worked in, many teachers were clamouring for heads of department roles and eventually moving up to SLT. Friends of my age (30) mostly been promoted into managerial roles now.

I feel like it's a societal expectation that we have to keep progressing and climbing the ladder. Is there anyone who's just happy with the status quo and isn't interested in moving up?

Managing a team of people doesn't interest me particularly. And it sounds lazy but to some extent I just want an easy life, I don't really want a job with high stress and responsibilities for more money.

I've had comments from some people about how I could be 'doing more with my life' , and 'do I want to be in this role for the rest of my life?" And I don't understand it.

Anyone else?

[MarshaBradyo]

Yanbu

[OpusAnglicanum]

I climbed up the ladder and then down again. Particularly since I had my daughter. I’m now part time near the bottom of the ladder.

I don’t want to manage people, have to spout corporate bollocks in endless meetings and pretend to be Passionate About My Role.

It’s fine, it’s a job, I earn enough and I have a life.

[ClarkeGriffin]

Me!

I have no interest in managing people. Some people just completely suck and I can't be assed having to manage someone like that, and not be able to tell them that they are being an ass for demanding what is impossible.

I earn a good salary. I might go to the next level up in my job that pays better, but doesn't mean I manage people still. But I'm quite happy letting some other sucker take on the lead role. Although I think my boss is trying to groom me basically for the job, it's still not happening.

[Blacktothepink]

Yanbu, I’ve stayed in the same role 10 years, I don’t need the hassle!

[Pea1985]

I think its such a personal thing and depends on lots of variables. I'm 35 and low-mid level in my career, i'm in a senior HR Advisor role and manage 1 person, on a salary im reasonably happy with but would like 5k more in the next few years. I would like to take 1 more step up and to maybe manage a small team of around 5 people. However I have zero aspiration to be a Head of HR or HR Director. Though this is partly because I want to focus on my kids (and wanting part time work really limits opportunities for promotion, even in HR which is more family friendly than a lot of careers). When my kids are in high school my career drive may come back, who knows. It helps that my husband has progressed to a more senior level in his field so is on a good salary that means I dont really need to earn any more.

[101jobs]

I have never had any interest whatsoever in a career. I go to work, earn minimum wage and have never had any desire to move off the bottom rung.
I’m happy not having any responsibility.

[IDreamOfLogCabins]

I climbed the career ladder and am now in a senior management position on a good salary. I fully intend on climbing back down and going part-time once I have built up savings. Have just paid off my mortgage so prior savings went into that.

Doesn't matter what other people think as long as you're happy with your own choices.

[UnderperformingSeal]

For most of us who are never going to be CEO's the career ladder tops out in management, and you can stick that up your arse. I've seen what it does to people.

[51Pegasusb]

Also been up and down the career ladder. Having children really changed things for me. I've managed people and I've run operations for a company, amazing money but it took too much time from my work life balance and I didn't enjoy it. People managing is very hard and I admire people that do it with what seems like ease daily !!
I have finally found a role which is different to what I have ever done before, it uses my skills and education still but in a much different way and I couldn't be happier. We're a small team of 3 in a large organisation but we work really well together, and most importantly for me we have each others backs!
I work 4 days a week and my start and end times are flexible, some days I work from home, others I go to the office/factory. We're a very commutative company overall which means there is little grey areas and therefore less stress.
For the first time in a long time I am throughly enjoying my work. Not the highest salary I could earn, but I am fine with that. My work life balance is brilliant and I wouldn't change it at all right now.
I've only had one comment and that was from a developer who couldn't believe someone from my background would then do a role like I am now, he felt it was a waste, I disagree. I am happy, my family is happy and this is okay.

[justsayso]

I started out being so proud of the role I'd somehow managed to get that for a couple of years I was on cloud 9. Then as my skills increased I went for roles that had more responsibility, but I knew I wanted to continue clinical work. I eventually did a post grad qualification and now am in an amazing role. Nowhere near what some people on here earn (how do these wages even exist!?) But I am making a difference in people's lives and have a 'worthwhile' job in society, as I see it anyway.
I don't ever want to be in a managerial role and am happy being good at what I do as it's so rewarding.
Lots of money doesn't always equate to happiness and I often wonder if people look at their jobs and think 'does what I do all day even matter?'

[kickergoes]

'does what I do all day even matter?'

What do you think "matters"?

[Cowbells]

@Aliceandthemarchhare

The potential extra income was ‘spent’ on buying time /mental space rather than a newer car or fancier holidays

Argghh sorry but this drives me nuts.

The assumption that money is something only frivolous and materialistic people pursue.

How about a deposit for your child’s first home?

Replacing the roof when it collapsed (happened to me!)

Paying for a place at an independent school (it’s not for me but a lot of MNetters do.)

Having the freedom to buy something that is far from essential but will bring you a lot of happiness?

Not everyone who seeks promotions are ruthless self obsessed idiots. It’s sensible to seek financial security for you and your family.

I don't think that's the assumption. But the people I know who earn top money work long and unsociable hours. If I worked the crazy hours they work, I'd earn six figures too. But I see them paying so much on cleaners, gardeners, nannies, taxis, ready meals because they don't have time to run their own homes. If you love the work, OK, but I'd prefer more time with family and to save money on the expenses incurred by never being home.

[enidblyton33]

I’m also a class teacher - never had any inclination to go into management. Love my job. My non- teaching friends just can’t fathom my lack of ambition.