You might be like me – also a contractor, happily and for many years now, because I have no particular desire to “climb the ladder” at a corporation. Zero desire whatsoever to be the CEO of anything that’s not mine.
That’s not to say that I haven’t grown in my career. My skills, knowledge, interpersonal relationships, have all grown. My salary has grown with, as a result. But I’m happy in my spot, happy with the independence that being a contractor gives me, and happy not to have to play the corporate game.
The thing I’m most happy about is that my employer knows that all of the time outside what’s written down in my contract belongs to me, and that I can spend it doing anything I like. Including working for other companies or on my own projects.
I don’t think it’s harmed my career trajectory either. I’ve never considered getting promotions to be a valid career path. I’ve always moved up by leaving one job for a new position somewhere else. The permanent positions recruiters DM me about on LinkedIn are mostly reasonably high level management these days.
That’s not to say that I haven’t grown in my career. My skills, knowledge, interpersonal relationships, have all grown. My salary has grown with, as a result. But I’m happy in my spot, happy with the independence that being a contractor gives me, and happy not to have to play the corporate game.