I agree with most of the posts above, in the point that you have to start in the bottom and then rise up. It is key to start as an Engineer because you will be dealing with a lot problems and you will get a real sense of what that job is. Eventually if a manager position is reached then the person will have higher chances of becoming an effective manager since he/she has already performed the same job he supervises. This will lead to positive changes in the company such as getting rid of habits that are not necessary and implanting others that are necessary. As my father who is an Engineer always tells me: You have to start in the bottom, demonstrate what you are made of and then rise up. He first started as an Electrical engineer with a position that did not give him a lot of benefits but gave him a lot of experience. 20 years later he has created his own company and is a wonderful manager/owner who understands the scenarios that his employees work under.
Let me know what you think
Sincerely,
Roberto Pineda.