Early 30's and I left private to go into the Feds about 3 years ago.

FEDS:

Pros: Flexibility, job security, leave (after 3 years) and some benefits (TSP, medical).

Cons: Difficult to move up, difficult to move into other series, lower pay, political bickering, gross inefficiency and waste, low morale, lots of paper pushing, slow decision making....


PRIVATE SECTOR:

Pros: Salary with increased based on performance (not seniority), training opportunities, interesting work

Cons: Volatility, deadlines, competition, no maternity or STD



I joined because I wanted a slower pace and that’s exactly what I got. They say that grass isn’t always greener and this DEFINITELY holds true in my case. I’m planning to stay put for now (because I just had a baby) but once the economy firms up, I’m out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you status?

Yes. I've been in the government for close to a decade. But I started in government right out of college so I still have a ways before retirement.

Talk to your HR department, you can leave for the private sector, work there for a few years for money and then come back to the fed and finish up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you status?

Yes. I've been in the government for close to a decade. But I started in government right out of college so I still have a ways before retirement.

Definitely try private sector if you are only 10 years out of college.

Anonymous wrote:Are you status?

Yes. I've been in the government for close to a decade. But I started in government right out of college so I still have a ways before retirement.

I've done both.

I had more independence and more control over my life in my federal job (senior policy advisor/manager), as well as more stability. The assault on federal employees is in full swing and is a serious thing IMO, killing morale and the ability to attract the best. I am glad I was able to retire this year.

OTOH the private sector is also a bit of a mess in my field (law/public policy), unemployed people everywhere, poor job market, no job security at all, I had chances over the last 15 yrs. (even before the market tanked) to go back to the private side and wasn't seriously tempted.

14:20's approach may be one to consider...

I don't think you should stay at a job just for security if you think there is a job you'd like better, esp. if you are a ways off from retirement. That said, there are more office politics in the private sector I think (or rather, there is more at stake in office politics).

Are you status?

If you are 15 years or less from retiring, I would stay in the government. But if you only have like 10 years or less in it, or if you are under the age of 35, I would say go ahead and leave the government if the pay is really good and you can put a decent chunk into your 401K every year.

Thanks all, this is a regular private company, so not a federal contracting job.

I struggle with the same decision OP. I think there are much more interesting jobs (for me) outside the federal govt. But I keep hearing how its so great to have a federal job that I feel like I can't leave. I don't know.... I at least want to stay for five years to be vested. After that I think all bets are off.

One thing to keep in mind OP - if you have three years of federal service - you will have career status and that makes it somewhat easier to get back in the federal govt later if you want to.

Anonymous wrote:I have done both, and the biggest difference is the lack of stability in the private sector. If you work for a federal contractor and that contractor loses the contract on which you work, you are probably out the door.

Will the work actually be more interesting or will it just be a different type of mundane work? My private sector work was more interesting, but there were many more deadlines and the work flow was unpredictable.

The private sector doesn't ONLY consist of federal contractors. I think it makes a difference if OP is looking at a job with a large, established private sector company that is NOT dependent on federal contracts/budgeting.

I have done both, and the biggest difference is the lack of stability in the private sector. If you work for a federal contractor and that contractor loses the contract on which you work, you are probably out the door.

Will the work actually be more interesting or will it just be a different type of mundane work? My private sector work was more interesting, but there were many more deadlines and the work flow was unpredictable.

OP - Are you a clock watcher?

I have worked in both the federal and private sector.

So much really depends on what your field is and what agency you work for. A lot also depends on the specific private sector opportunity -- is it a company with a good record, good future, et cetera.

But aside from that, I think people who say they wish they could get a federal job don't realize how much things have changed in the public sector (pay freezes, changes in benefits, pension situation, sequester, cuts).

Has anyone worked in both the federal and private sector. I'm considering an opportunity in the private sector, slightly more money at a well known large company. But everyone keeps saying I would be foolish to leave my federal job although I am totally over working here. If I leave I know I'll be leaving behind a stable, well paying job, although very very mundane. I've only ever worked for the federal government.

All I ever here is people say they wish they could get a federal job. Any thoughts?