The following choice of personal development strategy has been a hot topic over the past decade: specialist versus management career paths. Both career models are being assessed and weighted up. In the highly specialised Life Science industry, with its many experts in pharmacy, chemistry, biology, and medicine, we observe a fluid move from technical specialist towards management positions. One of the reasons is the growing use of project groups and Agile processes in a world of global competence and supply chain networks. Here is our advice to take a check of your own professional situation:

• Are you a specialist who does not wish to take on managerial responsibilities? You should then strive to develop as a key Subject Matter Expert within a company, with the appropriate salary, status, and influence.
• You are an expert, enjoy the related tasks and the intellectual challenge, but wish to take on a manager position in the medium term? You should then work on progressively expanding your sphere of influence and answer the following questions:

Does your career progression match your personal wishes?

A career as a technical specialist keeps all doors open! As an expert in your field, buoyed by significant successes, you are in a favourable negotiation context and in an excellent position to climb up the career ladder at a later stage. Depending on your personal wishes, you should nevertheless make sure not to miss the correct moment for the move.

It is a common mistake to believe that a technical career does not allow managerial development. Broad, growing know-how results in regular salary increases. With time, experts take on more and more responsibilities. This career model just includes occasional management tasks before attaining a managerial position.

Do you get professional recognition in the current company culture?

Does your company need a specific expertise and is it a prerequisite for its success? Employees with specialist knowledge, wide know-how, and creative ideas contribute to bearing up against competition and are valued accordingly. However, in some company cultures, executives have the last say and enjoy high social recognition – experts are hardly put on equal footing.

Do you entertain false expectations or are there false promises?

Are you being limited to a technical role despite your wish to develop towards managerial responsibilities? The company wants to keep you, but has no intention of promoting you to an executive position. According to your situation, you can find a way to get the recognition you wish. You may not be perceived as having the adequate skills for a managerial role without being told. Initiate a transparent discussion with your HR department and supervisor. Do not feel hurt, do some introspection and position yourself again.

You may be overestimating the shine: are you interested in your own field and do you enjoy your work? When moving towards a managerial role, technical aspects often fall by the wayside and are replaced with core management activities. This exchange is not necessarily welcomed by all!

Even though many skills can be learned or sometimes outweighed by others, you need to know exactly what you are getting into before applying to a managing position. Do you want to perform the daily chores of a manager or are you mainly interested in the salary and title?

Our tips to move from an expert role towards a manager position:

Multi-skilled profiles are increasingly on demand, especially in smaller, specialised companies and employers often search for experienced specialists with the necessary charisma and drive to manage a team. You can turn a successful career in a technical role into a clincher to get the managerial role you wish. To avoid being solely perceived as an expert in your field, highlight linkages and get involved:

• Offer to take the lead on projects, even if they often imply extra work
• Gain lateral management experiences
• Promote cross-departmental work
• Involve colleagues and external partners
• Steer collaborative work with suppliers and experts
• Make yourself visible in your interactions with clients and external stakeholders

These areas are all daily situations that will prepare the ground for your future executive position!