Passing Up SES Opportunity

[Anonymous]

So why do I feel so conflicted and a little down about my decision? I’m acting in the role but I don’t feel ready jump to SES for a number of reasons. 1) My kids are still young and even though being SES at my agency does allow for some flexibility it’s still pretty intense and I don’t want to sacrifice my work life balance or my mental health; 2) demanding political leadership at my agency and even though they might be out in 6 months I’m a little worried about being SES under a 2nd Trump term and the vulnerability that might bring and in the meantime I’d rather not be front and center w/the politicals if I can help it; 3) the mobility clause—haven’t seen anyone from my agency shipped off but I feel uneasy about giving up my GS job security; and 4) I’m still 12 years away still from retirement and can’t fathom being SES for that amount of time when I can just ride it out as a 15. I feel like I’m passing up a good opportunity but deep down I’m dreading the idea of it and that tells me something or maybe it’s just the fear of making this jump. Anyone else faced this?

[Anonymous]

I think you know what is best for you. Follow your gut.

[Anonymous]

You're afraid of change. That's ok, but recognize the implications of avoiding potential new/different stressors, work conditions, and job duties: stagnation in compensation, more limited post-government professional opportunities, no opportunity to have greater impacts on your agency and workforce, no prestige from a higher level role, no satisfaction from having seen selected for a very comptetitive and more significant position, etc.

There's no rule that you have to be ambitious, but the absence of ambition will lead to a different long-term outcome than pursuing a more senior role - just be ok with it, and remember later why you are where you ended up. Which, again, may be a result you're quite ok with. Just try to be sure you won't later regret taking the easier path.

[Anonymous]

SES is not worth the money and it is full of the incompetent people in government.

[Anonymous]

I am ses and all your feelings are valid.

[Anonymous]

All of your points are valid. As for your #3, I have seen it and it's real. Particularly if DT comes back, all bets are off.

[Anonymous]

SES is definitely not worth it under the conditions you describe. You're acting so it's not like you don't know the reality. Don't worry about it, keep on keeping on.

[Anonymous]

Do you ever want to be SES? If so, consider whether that "chair" will ever be pulled out for you again. If you're acting right now, what happens if the role is filled with a permanent SES? Will there be another SES opportunity for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So why do I feel so conflicted and a little down about my decision? I’m acting in the role but I don’t feel ready jump to SES for a number of reasons. 1) My kids are still young and even though being SES at my agency does allow for some flexibility it’s still pretty intense and I don’t want to sacrifice my work life balance or my mental health; 2) demanding political leadership at my agency and even though they might be out in 6 months I’m a little worried about being SES under a 2nd Trump term and the vulnerability that might bring and in the meantime I’d rather not be front and center w/the politicals if I can help it; 3) the mobility clause—haven’t seen anyone from my agency shipped off but I feel uneasy about giving up my GS job security; and 4) I’m still 12 years away still from retirement and can’t fathom being SES for that amount of time when I can just ride it out as a 15. I feel like I’m passing up a good opportunity but deep down I’m dreading the idea of it and that tells me something or maybe it’s just the fear of making this jump. Anyone else faced this?

I did the same thing and am retiring as a 15 this summer and have never regretted it.

[Anonymous]

Career-SES for over a year. Just turned 40. I have 2 kid who are 5 and under. The culture of the agency matters as does the assignment. If you have good leadership skills and know how to effectively delegate, you'll be fine and you'll find a work/life balance. If you don't know how to trust your staff or delegate, you will always be working. Apply and see what happens. The hardest part of being an SES is the getting through the application and selection process. However, doing the application and preparing for the interviews helps you understand if it is truly what you want. But don't be the person you says they could have been an SES if they only they submitted an application. That is a cop out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Career-SES for over a year. Just turned 40. I have 2 kid who are 5 and under. The culture of the agency matters as does the assignment. If you have good leadership skills and know how to effectively delegate, you'll be fine and you'll find a work/life balance. If you don't know how to trust your staff or delegate, you will always be working. Apply and see what happens. The hardest part of being an SES is the getting through the application and selection process. However, doing the application and preparing for the interviews helps you understand if it is truly what you want. But don't be the person you says they could have been an SES if they only they submitted an application. That is a cop out.

Not necessarily. Most smart 15s don’t feel like dealing with the petty politics of often incompetent SESes.

[Anonymous]

I think that all of your reasons make a strong case to stay put.

We're in our early 40s with young kids. My spouse has been an SES for about 5 years, and I was recently asked by leadership if I might want to make the jump to SES. In my opinion, it isn't worth it right now. If you have young kids, one person in the relationship has to have a relatively flexible schedule for things that pop up. The extra money feels negligible and I would only be doing it for my ego at the detriment to my family.

Try to make it clear that it might be the right job, but maybe just not the right time. Don't close the door if you'd want that opportunity 5 years from now.

[Anonymous]

I dont see anything in your post that makes me think SES is the right move for you right now, so trust yourself!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:…

We're in our early 40s with young kids. My spouse has been an SES for about 5 years, and I was recently asked by leadership if I might want to make the jump to SES. …

Try to make it clear that it might be the right job, but maybe just not the right time. Don't close the door if you'd want that opportunity 5 years from now.

You’re young so this last point maybe the most important. I’ve been a GS15 for almost 15 years and am mid-50s now. We have about two dozen people like me in our division. At a meeting about staffing this morning someone brought up the lack of SES opportunities. Leadership responded that someone would probably retire in the next five years and so there’d be one spot. We looked at each other and someone said “but half of us are eligible to retire by then as well, so you’re saying there’s no path to move up left in our careers.”

A reason to consider this opportunity is that it can be worse to stagnate than to be challenged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:…

We're in our early 40s with young kids. My spouse has been an SES for about 5 years, and I was recently asked by leadership if I might want to make the jump to SES. …

Try to make it clear that it might be the right job, but maybe just not the right time. Don't close the door if you'd want that opportunity 5 years from now.

You’re young so this last point maybe the most important. I’ve been a GS15 for almost 15 years and am mid-50s now. We have about two dozen people like me in our division. At a meeting about staffing this morning someone brought up the lack of SES opportunities. Leadership responded that someone would probably retire in the next five years and so there’d be one spot. We looked at each other and someone said “but half of us are eligible to retire by then as well, so you’re saying there’s no path to move up left in our careers.”

A reason to consider this opportunity is that it can be worse to stagnate than to be challenged.

Is it so terrible to stagnate though? You have a challenging, rewarding job with flexibility and seniority. I know so many 15s in this position. What is the harm in being satisfied with what you have? I struggle with this too but I also work to live no live to work and have to remind myself of that