I also feel like I should work as an engineer for couple of years before moving up to a higher management position. I had always set a goal for myself to move up within a company to higher position, such as a manger. You obviously need the experience first before moving up to manager. As an engineer you will soon understand your role in the company and make good connections. When you become manager you want have relations with the people under you, so starting from the bottom you will have more of an understanding what the work is like.