Contracting Officer Career Change

[Anonymous]

I've been a Contacting Officer for nearly a decade and am now seeking a career change. A number of colleagues have moved to the program management side of things (many have become CORs). Several people have moved to the private sector and have been managing staffing requirements. I've been told that experience as a CO is quite valuable, but it seems that there aren't many related fields. The 1102 series has become more automated with the utilization of GWACs. The field has also become more admin-heavy with an abundance of reporting requirements and other admin-related duties. I expect the work to change dramatically in the next 10 years. Matter of fact, most 1102s perform tasks that were once done by 1105s (Purchasing Agents).

My question is what can one do with a background as an 1102 if they don't want to remain with the government?

[Anonymous]

Go private. We are a dod contractor and are always looking for good contracts people. Look around.

[Anonymous]

I'd go private and think about heading up a contracting shop for a system integrator. Your CO experience is invaluable to such companies.

[Anonymous]

A warranted contracting officer is worth its weight in gold and if you have a moderate amount of tenure (around 10) wouldn't it be worth it to finish up and at least get your 20? PM is a good route that I seen CO's go to (not necessarily COR's but running programs, personnel....DoD has alot of these positions) and I while agree with you somewhat about automation replacing CO's, I think that will be mostly be on the commodity side so the need is not going to disappear completely. There are alot of complex cost type contracts out there where the CO's discretion is crucially important to the governments needs. Perhaps you just need a change of venue to different type of acquisition shop?