Private Sector Vs. Government

[rightguard]

Im getting ready to transition into a Gov job dealing with computers. For those who work in private and gov. could you weigh the pros and cons that you dealwith?

Gov-stability, benefits

private-More $$$$

 

[justscoreda100]

Originally Posted by Rightguard

Im getting ready to transition into a Gov job dealing with computers. For those who work in private and gov. could you weigh the pros and cons that you deal with?

Gov-stability, benefits

private-More $$$$

What field are you in? Is it regular IT or security?

 

[lazyj10]

There's no line between the two anymore.

And I'd say in the wake of recent furloughs and the like, stability isn't as guaranteed as it once was for Gov't.

 

[rightguard]

Basically tier 1 and 2 support and a lot of other responsibilities IT...LazyJ i feel what your saying especially in this economy but Ive been working for thegov a while now and have never had any insight from the private sector.


all i hear is more cash in the private sector.

 

[lazyj10]

It depends on the private sector company....what their goal is, compensation could be high but it may be deferred (ie - stock options instead of directcompensation). You need to have more criteria to help compare to two.

 

[pftjordans]

The best i can say is that there's more cash in the private sector but less security for holding or moving up in position .. while the govt job paysreasonably well (not as well as private) but you have some securities/benefits that make up for the low cash.

 

[richkarlmarx]

i've been considering the same thing recently. any answers would be appreciated

 

[reigndrop]

Private sector: Meritocracy
Government: You will gradually be promoted regardless

 

[rightguard]

true im going to transition into gov first and get my training

 

[lilstone25]

Sup people, I'm a government contractor with Verizon Federal Network Systems. Anyways I'm supposed to be getting laid off July 24

. But since I've put my resume on monster 2 weeks ago, I've had 2interviews another one tomorrow, and numerous phone calls and emails. If you have a high enough security clearance, that is your job stability right there. Private sector is definitely more money, but if you go government first it looks extremely well on your resume as well. For example if you start off as afinancial analyst with the CIA your probaly looking at 40-48k to start. But if you worked for Northrup Grunman or BAE you are looking at 55-65k to start. Butafter 2 years the government person could command a salary of 80k while the contractor would probaly be looking at a 70k salary if they wanted to switchcompanies. Anyways if you have any more questions pm me or post it.

 

[rightguard]

thats tough that your getting laid off...the position im applying for is potential to gs 13 on the IT scale

 

[datznasty]

GS13? Dude your checks are going to be nice.

What post are you working at? I work at Fort Sill, similar to what you do, but I think I'm tier 3. I am whichever tier is the "touch labor" one.Your job sounds like you will be working for D.O.I.M, which is the job I'm trying to move up to here. I'm not a D.O.D Civilian either, I'm on as acontractor which sucks.

But Government stability and benefits are second to none. For example
Leave You will accrue 2 hours of annual and 2 hours of sick leave every pay period. If you move to another GS job, you can either cash thoseout or keep them and take them with you. You can even get in the leave donor program if you need more time and someone can donate you their leave hours. If youhave prior military service, you might even accrue at a faster rate.
Socially I much prefer Military towns to non. Everyone is generally nicer and more agreeable, from the perspective of racism/sexism, all ofthat. I mean, some of these people get almost too friendly where they tell me stuff I really don't even care to know (for example at my last job [same jobtechnically, last location] the females where having this huge convo about plastic surgery and who has and hasn't had any, one lady asked me if I think sheshould get her's done-cougar too). People always like to act like the Army is just filled with idiots who don't know what they wanted to do with theirlives so they signed up to be told, but I find the level of intelligence, financial stability, and overall accomplishment to be higher too. I don't have astudy I can cite really or anything, but seems to be my experience.
Recreation You will get a CAC card to log into your computer which also provides you certain benefits on the base like the free gyms, bowlingalleys, car care center, library, and other rec related places. You technically can't shop at the PX and Commissary (Department Store and Supermarket) withjust an Army Civilian and not Army Soldier cac, but most of the time they don't say anything, especially if you go through a female's line.

 

[wawaweewa]

If you want to %*$# around, get a gov't job.
if you actually want to work, get into the private sector.

 

[dacityslanga]

GS 13 is a good salary. With the Federal Government, they honor your degree no matter what it is in. If you have a Masters Degree, they honor that. PhD, thesame, Law School, the same. They even use your education to substitute your experience that you may be lacking.

 

[raburns04]

Originally Posted by LazyJ10

There's no line between the two anymore.

And I'd say in the wake of recent furloughs and the like, stability isn't as guaranteed as it once was for Gov't.

Gov't employees (myself included) are getting furloughed - private sector employees are receiving pink slips. OP has a bit of a leg up in IT,though. Those cats can be worshiped sometimes.

 

[rightguard]

Originally Posted by wawaweewa

If you want to %*$# around, get a gov't job.
if you actually want to work, get into the private sector.

man i hear that all the time but this is not the case for me....ive been "interning" for the past 1 and half years and im responsible for tier 1tier 2 support, inventory management, repairs, printers, tape back ups and the list goes on. granted the organization is only 120 people. The organization iwork for has been paying for my schooling also so i want to take advantage of getting my certs through boot camps.....

I just think if i test the waters in the private sector i can start in the 50's in stead of 40-45 a year