I can honestly say that because your a certified PMP, it does not make you a middle-manager. Project management requires a delicate balance between being business savvy and technically competent. As a PMP you would be reporting to a project manager. Project managers don't have time to track every phase, task, event, and milestone of a project. They are too busy managing the process.

If you want to be a project manager than take some programming courses and try to become immersed in the programming culture of your projects to gain some experience. This will go a long way when complemented with your business management and project management skills.

Know the beast your trying to tame before you try to ride it.

As a consultant/contractor I have to know the difference between the two. Many times I am asked to wear both hats at the same time. Since I have been both manager of technical services and director of data center operations I have gained a solid business/economics acumen, project management skills, and middle-management skill sets to compliment my technical skills.

When I consult I usually act as a system architect, engineer or project manager. When I contract I act as a system programmer, system administrator, application programmer, and/or application designer.