Why Do People Choose Jobs on the Production Line, When Managers Make More $ ?
By ParaTed2k
@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
December 18, 2006 6:40pm CST
If we are all free to choose our professions, why do some of us choose jobs that we know won't make as much money as other career choices?
When I was in the Army, a lot of people asked me why I wanted to be an NCO instead of going for Commissioned Officer. When I retired and became a Paramedic, people asked me why I didn't go for Nurse, or even Doctor... after all, Commissioned Officeres, Nurses and Doctors make a lot more than NCOs and Paramedics.
The fact is, I chose those professions because they are the part of the military and medical field I wanted to do. In the military, I didn't want to be a commander or policy maker, I wanted to train troops. In the medical field, I didn't want to work in a hospital or clinic, I wanted to work the streets. I knew the pros and cons of both professions and made my choices.
So do those who work the line. For their own reasons, they choose to be on the production line instead of making the big bucks in management.
So why do they seem to resent those who chose managent instead of the line? I don't ever remember resenting Officers, Nurses or Doctors or making more than me...
After all, we all make the choices that lead us to where we seem to want to be.
5 people like this
68 responses
@smuggeridge (2148)
•
19 Dec 06
its not usually a choice, i think most people end up on the production line because they don't have the qualifications to get anything better. I doubt there are many people who could be managers but choose to work on a production line
2 people like this
@angelicEmu (1311)
•
19 Dec 06
I agree - often people don't get given the choice, but that's not always down to not being up to the job - management tends to be a "face-fits" type of position, so if you aren't "in" with the right people, or politically what they're looking for, you're often not given the choice. That's the way the world is though!
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
It may not be by choice that they work where they do, but it is almost always the result of choices people make (especially if the job is one they keep for a long time). If they don't have the qualifications to do the job they'd rather have, what is stopping them from gaining the qualifications?
Choosing to not pursue what you need to get a job you'd rather have is the same as choosing to stay where you are.
@FourDubbs (38)
• United States
19 Dec 06
i agree completly with what you said ^^
most ppl do not have the education they expect ppl to have for those jobs.
the job market is tough, and if you didnt go to college or even graduate high school, you dont have much choice in what you do for work.
1 person likes this
@arkenum (3)
• United States
19 Dec 06
Actually, I have turned down two management positions because I didn't want to deal with the bs basically...and there is more to life than just money, in case no one ever told you. A higher position means more responsiblities, more stress, less time off, more animosity, and no matter what, you are going to get blamed for everything. Some people can deal with that, some people can't. That doesn't make me stupid, it just means that I am content in my position. Maybe us idiots just happen to LIKE our job.
2 people like this
@BobbyTMathew (164)
• United States
19 Dec 06
I think the important thing in life is that you do what makes you happy. At the very least you should do what makes you comfortable. It takes all types of people to make this world go around, not just managers. If everyone really thought the same way, then the world would not change. We need people like you in this world just as much as we need managers.
@toonatoons (3737)
• Philippines
19 Dec 06
i know how you feel. evrybody seems to be taking up nursing because they'd be earning more from that. everybody --- even, doctors, lawyers, accountants. i'm concerned, though, that not everybody has what it takes to be a real nurse. i don't think that education and training alone can make one a nurse. one must the "x" factor, you know, considering that nursing is a service profession. yet all they seem to care about is the earning potential of that profession. what do you think will happen if everyone could be a nurse? what will happen to all the other professions, right?
@kulpreet1 (116)
• India
19 Dec 06
it is a good profession i think and it has scope also
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
A good nursing program will weed out those who aren't right for the profession, but I know what you mean... and agree.
We all can't be the same profession, no matter how highly that profession is respected or paid.
Isn't it great to live in a society where we get to make the choice!
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
True, they may not have the education. The question is though, if they want to get the management positions, why don't they get the education?
With all the grants and student loans available today, money isn't an excuse anymore. If there are things they would rather do with their free time, well, that is a choice too.
@rms2727 (815)
• India
19 Dec 06
jobs are always not about money, they are more about personal satisfaction and interest.
i too prefert o pick on jobs that interest me rather than those which give me more money.
we have just one life to live and i dont want to waste it on a money chase.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
True. I wonder how many people would continue to do their job, even if they didn't need the money.
@thewatchlist (653)
• United States
19 Dec 06
I know someone who has a phd in sociology and worked for some time in a job suited towards that degree. They took a break from that job for a bit because of stress. During that break they started dealing cards at a casino because they thought it would be fun. 12 years later, they are still working tables at Sam's Town dealing cards. The even only work part time. The job pays enough to cover bills, he still keeps up on education requirements to maintain professional licensing in case he decides to go back to his old job... But so far he hasn't simply because he enjoys interacting with people at the card tables.
It's about choice (at least in the case where the people have put themselves in a position where they can chose). If doing what you want isn't the most glorious or highest paying job, so be it. Do what you want if you can and feel good abou it.
1 person likes this
@thewatchlist (653)
• United States
19 Dec 06
We always joke around about how he is just helping build up clientel for therapy sessions. Gambling addiction and all...
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
Exactly, it's about choices made. That's why I don't understand why those miserable in their jobs don't work towards something they would rather do.
I think your friend is a great example of how to live!
@ishavasyam (1801)
• India
19 Dec 06
Very good issue u have raised...needs a careful study of the psyche..first there is some thing called as job satisfaction ..which is a product of matching up the work front with ur own values..money then becomes a secondary consideration.Secondly,it also depends on which layer of the Maslow pyramid r u at the present ? some people r eternally at the first stage which is physical needs..since they do not get past this layer,for them money always remains the primary concern.For people who r at the third layer of self esteem, they consider the status, good will and giving others as an important attribute...its quite complex..
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
This is a great comment. We should match our career choices up with our needs more, that way we can be happier doing what we do, and spend less time grumpling about what we'd rather do.
@shooie (4984)
• United States
19 Dec 06
A lot of people don't want the stress of it. A person has to do what they feel they can handle or want from a job. Money isn't want makes people happy. A lot of people that work and aren't managers are happy and less stress...probably live longer. lol
1 person likes this
@edelweiss (1929)
• India
19 Dec 06
I like a be a responsible person and take responsibility. and i am a kind of person who wants creativity in his work and be an architect.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
Then I hope you are working towards that goal and wish you all the success in the world as an architect!
@unisis (1673)
• Indonesia
19 Dec 06
yes that is right that the manager getting dollars than production line,but the production line is the people who works and produce the dollar,without manager the production line still can be running,so the production line is the people who survive the company,is not it?
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
How wrong you are. Sure, if the production line isn't doign there job, nothing is getting produced, but if the product isn't being moved, there's no reason for the production line to make the product. If raw materials or components aren't being procured, the line will have nothing to work with. If investors aren't found, then there won't be a company for the line workers to work for very long.
Each level of work is just as important as the other.
@serenetee (380)
• Singapore
19 Dec 06
Personality does play a part too. An introvert would prefer a job that does not require much interaction with people and even if he is equipped with high qualification, he'll choose a career path which requires more technical knowledge than interpersonal skill.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
This is a very good one! Some people would rather work with a machine than other people. Nothing wrong with that, just a personal choice.
@xellos099 (60)
• United States
19 Dec 06
a high school diaploma won't be enough.
people judge you on the way you look and talked
they judge everything about you, whatever happens to in god name ye shall not judge.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
True, a high school diploma doesn't mean much... unless you don't have one.
True, we are judged when we look for work, but that is a reality that we need to work with, not fight. If we don't look like the job we want, we probably won't get it...
It may not be fair, but fairness isn't fair either. ;~D
@nzbee1980 (11)
• Australia
19 Dec 06
In some cases working on the production line would actually pay more - with all the benefits and overtime they can do. My husband doesn't work on a production line, but he is a tradesman, his base wage isn't as much as a manager (about $20000 less) but with the overtime he gets to do (which managers don't - or if they do it's already included in their salary) and the allowances he gets (tools, meals, working in the rain..) he actually ends up earning 30000 or 40000 more than them in the end.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
Great point, if overtime is an option, yes, that can often increase pay significantly. When I was a paramedic OT was over 3/4 of my paycheck.
@ladysurvivor (4746)
• Malaysia
19 Dec 06
The definition of rich is not about money only. You can be rich in humanity, rich in love, rich in satisfaction. I think that's why some people choose to work in the line than being a manager. It is the satisfaction.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
Agreed, job satisfaction is the most important thing... I just don't understand why people who don't have it don't work towards getting a job that would bring them more satisfaction.
Maybe complaining is what brings them their satisfaction.. :~D
@not4me (1711)
• United States
19 Dec 06
Oh - sorry I didn't read your whole post. I was an enlisted Marine for 8 years and after the first 4 years I regretted not becomming an officer. I would have made a good one.
With that said, I agree with you. I was an Air Traffic Controller. As an enlisted girl I got to have all the fun. The officers get one rating (out of like 8), go on a ship, come back and get that same rating back and then work in an office for the rest of their career. BORING! lol. We did so much more - we should have gotten the big bucks. I never resented my officers though. Mainly, they had a college education already and would have been stupid to go in any other way. I did not have a degree.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
True, the NCOs and Enlisted did seem to have more fun. In fact, to me, the ultimate rank in the military is E4... you don't usually have to do all the crap the E-1,2 and 3s do anymore, but you haven't really taken on the responsibilities of an NCO yet. ;~D
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
Well, I think most of us can think of people who we think of underqualified for their jobs. ;~D
You're right though, if you want a job with upward mobility, you have to get the training and education for it. I just wonder why people who hate their jobs, or wish for something they feel would be better, don't got for it.
@mkirby624 (1598)
• United States
19 Dec 06
Well, I mean, if someone is working on the production line, it is probably because they haven't gained the experience or don't have the education to be a manager. But, a lot of people ask me "Why did you want to be a middle school teacher instead of going on to be a professor???" It's just a matter of personal preference and what makes you happy.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
That's what I mean. If doing the lower paying job makes you happy, then that's great. The people I wonder about are the ones that aren't happy where they are, but don't seem willing to do much towards getting where they'd rather be.
@deargoodbye (761)
• United States
19 Dec 06
You are full of thought provoking questions Ted.
I guess some people are resentful because perhaps they never wanted to work the production line but because of circumstances, they have to. Perhaps they failed out of school, never made it to school to begin with or any other number of issues.
I do feel though that older people and generations don't share the resentment attitude, IMO it seems to be the younger people who get "stuck" with these jobs that have the issues. They seem to think they are "entitled" to more for one reason or another.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 06
That very well could be why they started working the line, but if they are still there years later, it's because they chose to stay.
True, past generations felt that if you take a job, you do it and don't complain about it. Too many from our generation think that, as long as they are physically at work, they deserve a paycheck.
@itsjustmeb (1212)
• Canada
19 Dec 06
Exactly! If you have the means to do what you want, or along those lines, then by all means go for it! I would if I could :)
