I was an ATCO for around 35 years, both abroad and in the UK. I had no desire to become involved with anything except talking to aircraft so I never applied for anything to do with management or anything which would keep me away from home any longer than necessary. I loved every microsecond of the job: Area Control, FIS, Tower, Radar, etc. The pay was extremely good, even better now, and time off was vast: I only went to work 179 days each year. I always preferred being at home with my wife and sons but if I had to work (which I did!) I would never have wanted anything else but ATC.
I became interested in aircraft as a spotter when I was about 8-10 years old. By the time I was about 12 I wanted to be an ATCO. It took a while, but I eventually made it. My dream was to work at Heathrow and by some quirk of fate I spent the last 31 years in the job doing just that! I've been retired 8 years and I'm 66. I miss the job, but much prefer to be at home and my pension is excellent.
That's my view but I appreciate that others may not share it.