[Erakad]

My son and daughter went through the same dilemma. My son, like you, took the raise and tried the managerial thing...hated it. Hated the personnel issues, but especially the nonsensical/never ending paperwork that accompanied it. He's an electrical engineer. He took the step back to his technical roots...and has loved it. He enjoys more in solving technical issues and sees no value in the political managerial career field. For him, money wasn't the issue, rather, doing what he enjoyed was. He doesn't need or want the extra money (wife is an attorney), and right now is working and saving towards early retirement. My daughter on the other hand wrestled with advancement to management. She enjoyed the technical aspects of her job, worked with the union, and her coworkers. She's an air traffic controller...money was not the issue. She asked my thoughts (as did my son) and my answer was the same to each. Do you want to be part of the problem, or do you want to be in a position to influence the outcome to the problems, both locally and on a larger scale. She chose the management route and has loved the challenges (and there are many). My advice to you is the same.