<p>See, that's the other thing.</p>
<p>I don't see an actual <em>question</em> in your OP. </p>
<p>Are you <em>asking</em> what the best way is to become an engineering manager? You seem to just be stating a whole load of routes to becoming an engineering manager. I'd say that becoming an engineer, getting experience (and maybe an MBA), and reading books on being an effective manager is the best way.</p>
<p>Consider those books to be textbooks, if you have some sort of aversion to personal enrichment. Read up if you want to figure out what qualities you need to display to your superiors in order to become a good managerial candidate.</p>
<p>Y'know, having a thorough knowledge of subjects outside of engineering will make you a much more effective manager, too. Might want to rethink the whole anti-literacy thing.</p>