Careers and growth!

Why does everyone want you to become a Manager or a C level person in an Organization? Is that the only path one can take in Life?

Every time someone asks me about my career I find myself defending the job I am doing. Indians and Chiefs are both required to get a job done. Some people remain foot soldiers, some become the Chiefs, some choose to be what they like to be. I believe that, a manager in general has way too many responsibilities and has way too many headaches. Being a regular foot soldier, (in my case specifically, a Contractor) does not make me lose out on the pay scale when compared to a Manager. It also affords me far fewer headaches than what a Manager faces, lesser responsibilities and more time to pursue what interests me more. :) Like right now, writing this….

Being in a routine job is tiresome. You always report to one person or more, stay in one town, and it slowly becomes a bore. Freelancing, on the other hand, makes you learn your subject, affords you to travel more easily, helps you escape office politics, and you are free to choose your own job. The day I start hating my client or my manager, I can just say good bye. The day I want a vacation, I can go for a vacation without thinking about the vacation time and all such things. The day I want to work more or less, I know I can do the work as needed and will be compensated as such.

So which is better? If you don’t mind the traveling, let’s free lance. :)