What’s sad about someone who is hardworking with the results to prove it wanting to be in a managerial position after 5 years? His academical results clearly puts him in the top 20% of the entire cohort and he is showing careful consideration of whether take the job (considering whether it’s a sustainable decision). Who is to say someone wanting to be in a managerial position within 5 years cannot contribute more effectively than a boomer with 20 years of ineffectiveness?

Would it make you happier if engineers only want to be managers after grinding 20 years like you?