I'm a Software Engineer who thought that the way into management was to go and get some management credentials. So I went and got a PMP, then applied for a pro

I'm a Software Engineer who thought that the way into management was to go and get some management credentials. So I went and got a PMP, then applied for a promotion - which I got, and then quickly un-got due to office politics. A few years later (still a Software Engineer), working for a different (much larger) company, I decide to pursue management positions again. I go and get myself an MBA (part-time, so I could continue to work). I had a few interviews for management positions at my current company during my MBA studies, but ultimately no dice. I was laid off (as part of a mass layoff) more or less immediately after graduating. Now, I no longer care. I've become a pretty good Software Engineer so I think I'll just stick with that. I let the PMP expire (it takes time and money to maintain, consider that), though I'm afraid I'm stuck with the MBA (at least my employer had paid for it). The need to explain why I got an MBA (4 years ago) during job interviews and reassure potential employers I'm really a nerd with no management aspirations is the only lasting effect of the degree.