Fed reserve and job security politics

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am considering applying to the Federal Reserve Board but one thing I am worried about is how job security will be affected at the FRB by the upcoming election. I know the Fed makes its decisions (ostensibly) on its own and outside of political influence but I worry that if Trump wins or the republicans gain further control the movement to shrink the federal government will hit the FRB too directly.

Am I right in having some concerns about this or are they paranoia? My background is is a mix of statistics, market research, finance and analytics. I just got my MBA through an Executive program at a top 10 school and work at one of the systemic banks. I’m tired of the cut throat performance culture and I’m turning 40 soon and don’t want to get recycled out of it before picking my landing.


Appreciate any advice — thanks!

[Anonymous]

I don’t work at the Fed but I think that is paeanoia. The Fed is about as insulated as you can get in the fed govt and even *if* Trump gets more control over its policies it is still not reliant on Congress for annual appropriations and I don’t think it would extend to RIFs or anything.

[Anonymous]

You're being paranoid. You're also putting the cart before the horse since it's highly unlikely you'll get an offer.

[Anonymous]

You are 40 and want to quiet quit at the Fed? Nice.
There are serious office politics there and some real queen bees there. I say this as someone who knows people working there.

[Anonymous]

Do you have another offer with better security or substantially higher salary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're being paranoid. You're also putting the cart before the horse since it's highly unlikely you'll get an offer.

OP here, why do you say that? I imagine it’s a competitive place but is there something I should know about applying there?

The last couple of years I’ve been working on credit risk models, and prior that did a ton of consumer research work for the federal government. And like I said I just finished my MBA program from a top 10 school. Statistics, python, SQL, project management, supervisory work all check for me. Oh my BA was in economics.

Saying the above not as a humble brag but to get feedback on whether me applying there is a pointless venture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're being paranoid. You're also putting the cart before the horse since it's highly unlikely you'll get an offer.

OP here, why do you say that? I imagine it’s a competitive place but is there something I should know about applying there?

The last couple of years I’ve been working on credit risk models, and prior that did a ton of consumer research work for the federal government. And like I said I just finished my MBA program from a top 10 school. Statistics, python, SQL, project management, supervisory work all check for me. Oh my BA was in economics.

Saying the above not as a humble brag but to get feedback on whether me applying there is a pointless venture.

If willing to work you'll be fine. They are less secure than Fed, so you need to be competitive and way more savvy about politics than a standard GS15. But you make twice that salary so probably worth a try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're being paranoid. You're also putting the cart before the horse since it's highly unlikely you'll get an offer.

OP here, why do you say that? I imagine it’s a competitive place but is there something I should know about applying there?

The last couple of years I’ve been working on credit risk models, and prior that did a ton of consumer research work for the federal government. And like I said I just finished my MBA program from a top 10 school. Statistics, python, SQL, project management, supervisory work all check for me. Oh my BA was in economics.

Saying the above not as a humble brag but to get feedback on whether me applying there is a pointless venture.

If willing to work you'll be fine. They are less secure than Fed, so you need to be competitive and way more savvy about politics than a standard GS15. But you make twice that salary so probably worth a try.

OP again

Willing to work = not quiet quitting? Or are they known for working long hours?

Less secure than Fed — all I know is the private sector where there’s no security. Can you give me a baseline to compare? And you mean the generic federal government right?

[Anonymous]

You speak as though you’ve been offered the job. Apply and see what happens first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You speak as though you’ve been offered the job. Apply and see what happens first.

OP here, apologies if it comes across that way. Just trying to think a few years ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're being paranoid. You're also putting the cart before the horse since it's highly unlikely you'll get an offer.

OP here, why do you say that? I imagine it’s a competitive place but is there something I should know about applying there?

The last couple of years I’ve been working on credit risk models, and prior that did a ton of consumer research work for the federal government. And like I said I just finished my MBA program from a top 10 school. Statistics, python, SQL, project management, supervisory work all check for me. Oh my BA was in economics.

Saying the above not as a humble brag but to get feedback on whether me applying there is a pointless venture.

So? You haven't applied yet, let alone received an offer. The Board is a small agency that pays very well and has relatively low turn over. Positions are competitive. If you're qualified and interview well, you'll have a shot. It's far from guaranteed that you'll get an offer, so all this concern about long term stability seems a bit premature.

[Anonymous]

OP, it's fine to think about whether you want the job before you apply. Your concerns are real but I think they are the sort that apply to all govt agencies - unlikely that the Fed staff or budget will be hit specifically for vindictive reasons (which IMO is possible at some other agencies). There are budget cycles and it's always risky to be new when cost cutting measures happen but if you want to come to government that is part of the package.

[Anonymous]

The Federal Reserve Board can and has laid off people. If you want more protection go civil service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You speak as though you’ve been offered the job. Apply and see what happens first.

OP here, apologies if it comes across that way. Just trying to think a few years ahead.

Oh . This is such a long shot then. An MBA and a bachelors? What a weird fit for the Fed. They are PhD economist and attorneys.

You did just focus on levering your MBA to take in the big bucks in private and retire early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're being paranoid. You're also putting the cart before the horse since it's highly unlikely you'll get an offer.

OP here, why do you say that? I imagine it’s a competitive place but is there something I should know about applying there?

The last couple of years I’ve been working on credit risk models, and prior that did a ton of consumer research work for the federal government. And like I said I just finished my MBA program from a top 10 school. Statistics, python, SQL, project management, supervisory work all check for me. Oh my BA was in economics.

Saying the above not as a humble brag but to get feedback on whether me applying there is a pointless venture.

If willing to work you'll be fine. They are less secure than Fed, so you need to be competitive and way more savvy about politics than a standard GS15. But you make twice that salary so probably worth a try.

OP again

Willing to work = not quiet quitting? Or are they known for working long hours?

Less secure than Fed — all I know is the private sector where there’s no security. Can you give me a baseline to compare? And you mean the generic federal government right?

You said "consumer research work for the federal government" - so you have some experience with non private?

How old are you? Was your MBA in person or some online exec program?