It’s not simply a line from Office Space. It seems to be the mindset of many in the corporate world. The following scenario is a belief that is held by the majority, and has been for a rather long time:

One goes to college and trains in the field that they want to work in. Sometimes it’s what they are happiest spending their lives doing. Other times the motivator is money. Another motivator can be the family line of work. After college, hopefully you find a career you enjoy, and sometimes it is not in your field of study. After you are working awhile, the thought of climbing up the corporate ladder enters, and the only way to do it seems to be to take on a managerial role.

In this scenario, almost everyone enters into management after spending a few years in their trade and stays in management for the remainder of their career. In essence, this means they really only focus on their chosen trade/field of study for a few years and spend the rest doing something they more than likely did not train in whatsoever. At the same time, there are those that actually choose their field of study as business management.

I don’t know about anyone else, but this has never made much sense to me. I admit that when I first graduated from undergrad, I assumed someday I would be a manager. After finishing my graduate program in something I truly enjoy and am passionate about doing, I now realize that’s such a silly thing to think and it’s a path I’m not sure I want to end up in unless I am owning my own business someday.

Why is management the only way to move up in a career in so many businesses? Why can’t someone advance in their career by learning more, and growing in their profession of choice? No one learns anything the first time around. In fact, no one ever learns everything, so there is always more growing that can be done in what you are passionate about.

I feel fortunate that I’m finally working with an amazing group of people that feel the same way. We all love our careers and want to find ways to advance and learn in *our* chosen field of study, not management. I am blessed to work in a company that embraces this and to be able to look forward to coming to work every day.  Is there a way to help grow this philosophy within other companies?

I almost hate blogging about this with all the economic hardship going on right now, but I really cannot believe how fortunate I really am to absolutely enjoy my career as well as the company I recently started working for.

I remember graduating from undergrad with two bachelors degrees and thinking I owned the world. I was quickly put in my place and also discovered I really wanted some sort of branched off hybrid job and not the ones I was able to find. Applying for graduate school was a big step, especially since my employer at the time didn’t cover all of it so I had to pay half myself, which I did. It seemed like an interesting degree, but I honestly didn’t know much about it at the time. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d fall in love with my degree as much as I have.

I look forward to going to work every day. Additionally I find myself doing activities I would typically do at work for clients at home for me and others. It’s sick really. I get to do so many things and really help make people’s lives easier.

There are so many people that are in jobs they don’t like or care for and feel trapped. I honestly thought that’s how everyone ended up – not liking their job, and being in a career that has nothing to do with their major. I am so fortunate to honestly look forward to going to work every day. It would be so nice for everyone to get to this point!