If your boss is less qualified than you education wise, will you still work under him/her?

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At some point in your career you will undoubtedly find yourself working for a boss that is either less qualified for the position, younger or less experienced, or simply someone who you don't think does a good job.

Some tips in this situation:

  • The best thing to do is just get on with it. Do your best work so you don't damage your own reputation. 
  • Keep your contacts in the company open. Make sure to be working with senior people elsewhere in the company as much as you can so that opportunities may arise for you elsewhere.
  • Make sure that you are presenting your own work when it is discussed, at least as much as possible, so that you get credit for your own work.
  • Make sure to manage your CV, picking up new responsibilities, in case you get stuck and need to move.

Of course, having a boss less qualified or younger does not mean they are unsuitable for the job. In your career you will meet people who are more talented and progress faster than you.  Some of them may even become your boss. 

There are also other talents besides education and academic ones. Leadership. Communication. Entrepreneurship. There are almost always things you can learn from your boss. Understand why they are the boss, not you. Develop your own skills by learning from them.

Overall, try to enjoy it and not get sidetracked by short-term problems. Get your head down even if you can't see the way forward at the moment. Keep going because in general opportunities will arise. And you never know, soon you may be managing people with better qualifications than you!

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