Feds - What is your background and degree?

[Anonymous]

Why do you ask OP?

[Anonymous]

GS-14, no degree--worked my way up. Boom.

[Anonymous]

M.S. in a science field. Did a fellowship and a couple of years of contract work before hired as a fed, GS-9. Now a GS-12.

[Anonymous]

Only had a bachelors in IT, got a job as a federal contractor for a year, applied for a GS-13 at the agency I was supporting, got the GS-2210-13 job, 5 months later applied to a GS-14, which happened to be on the same team and is the same job as the 13. Got the GS-2210-14. I feel incredibly lucky and blessed. Bunch of people I worked with as contractors are still trying to become Feds.

[Anonymous]

B.A. Political Science
MPA in International Affairs/Russian Studies

Presently FS-02 FSO doing trade work. Had four years experience on Capitol Hill, then did my MPA then decamped for Russia in 1994 where I started as an English teacher, then combined my Hill experience and Russian skills to oversee USAID democracy programs. Parleyed that to a Program Officer job at USAID in Ukraine in 1999. In 2001, hired into USAID foreign service and served three years in Africa. Quit in 2003 and transferred to the Foreign Commercial Service, where I have been ever since.

[Anonymous]

Masters in International Relations. Army and then defense contractor. Hired in as a 12 in my twenties. Switched agencies for 14. Now 15.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JD, hired straight out of school as a PMF so not working as an attorney.

+1

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GS-14, no degree--worked my way up. Boom.

Didn't know this was possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GS-14, no degree--worked my way up. Boom.

Didn't know this was possible.

Very easy for IT work. Half of our IT group lacks a degree and are GS-14's.

[Anonymous]

^^ a lot of 14s in Finance with no degree too.

[Anonymous]

Lawyer. Clerked 1 year, Biglaw for 3 years, now coming up on 7 years as a fed. Started GS-13, now GS-15.

[Anonymous]

I chose the wrong field (museum work)

Hired as a 9---after my Phd. Over the next decade moved up to a 13. This was a faster advancement than some of my peers!

[Anonymous]

Engineer, military straight out of college for 5 years, then fed starting at a 13

[Anonymous]

MBA went looking after start up faltered. 15 years later in an engineering field and stay bc of flexibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ a lot of 14s in Finance with no degree too.

Mostly older people. You're not going to move up anymore without a degree.