Unsure About Your Career? Get a Government Job!

During most of our secondary and undergraduate education, we are constantly reminded that we need to find a career path where we can make a living and hopefully find some level of fulfillment. Some of us are fortunate enough to “know” what it is that we would like to do with our professional lives and are successful in implementing our plans. But for most of us, unfortunately, the career path question is one that may never be fully answered and we are left to bounce around from one job to the next, biding our time and hoping that one day we will find something that we really want to be when we grow up.
And for many of us, that day never comes.

But there is an alternative to the angst and discontent of wading through private sector jobs and trying to find something that can hold your interest – getting a government job! And I’m not talking about becoming a police officer or a school teacher or something that is going to require a monumental life commitment. Those jobs are for people that know what they want to do with their lives (and we’re lucky to have them). I’m talking about office job people that haven’t found an office job that they like. There are countless positions in government administration and bureaucracy that offer an ideal “employment waiting room” for those of us that are still waiting to find out what we want to do with our lives.

Here are just some of the advantages to government employment in the U.S., as listed by the Government Employment Fact Book:

  1. More generous paid fringe benefits
  2. More paid vacation days and holidays
  3. Federal income tax free value of excess paid benefits
  4. Higher compensation increases
  5. Greater job security
  6. Lower productivity
  7. More paid personal days
  8. More other paid time off
  9. Work weeks with fewer hours
  10. State income tax free value of excess paid benefits
  11. Generous severance pay
  12. Earlier retirement
  13. Unused sick leave credit at retirement
  14. Predominance of defined benefit retirement plans
  15. More pension benefit increases
  16. Paid retiree healthcare
  17. Exemption of pension benefits from state income taxes

So if you’re not sure what you should be doing with your career and you’re looking for a comfortable place to work while you think it over, contact your local, state, or federal government. They are ready to pay you for your time!

May 22, 2007 · Filed Under Career Advancement, Job Search, Job Seeker Tips, Perspectives

Comments

4 Responses to “Unsure About Your Career? Get a Government Job!”

  1. Jason Stedd on June 9th, 2007 3:30 am

    Government jobs do fit the bill. I changed from the small business corporate world to the Accounting Office and it has been great. The salary is fine and the benefits are stable. It seems the pressure level is a lot less and as long as you do your tasks, there are no politics involved. I was in marketing before and the requirements were cut-throat. I took some online classes at Phoenix and also Randford University. Both were great and I hit the floor running in the job. Politics aside, a government job is a great choice.

  2. Mick on June 9th, 2007 8:59 am

    Jason – good points about the less stressful work environment and the online education options. Many government positions offer full payment of continuing education and a motivated government employee can greatly increase their educational experience at no cost, often times using paid work hours to study! Overall, a great set-up.

  3. jayla on August 17th, 2007 12:58 pm

    GOVERNMENT JOB:
    1. don’t even give you 3 funeral days off for a DEATH in the family, if you have vacation time to use you can NOT request extra time for out of town funeral.

    2. only a 1/2 unpaid lunch

    3. can not retire before 62 years old

    4.all PROMOTIONS political

    5.CATHOLIC dominated

    6.promotions and moves to other areas based on the SUPERVISOR’s opinion of you-NOT on seniority or qualifications. people with 2 years have moved to areas people with 10 years have been trying for but the SUPERVISOR did’nt like them.

    7.expensive insurance coverage

  4. Mick on August 17th, 2007 1:06 pm

    Jayla,

    It seems like many of your points may be from a singular point of view and perhaps your own personal experiences and/or government job. It seems many of your points could be applied to any office job in any industry.

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