Torn between leaving the federal government for a big tech role or remaining in a gov career. Anyone willing to share the biggest pro for them for sticking to fed gov work?

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I was a federal civilian for 15 years before getting my MBA and then getting out. I've been around the block as a program manager, operations manager, director for small businesses. My recommendation, do not leave federal to go into contracting for small businesses. Not that small business is bad...but you will be on the hamster wheel. You will go through multiple employer, without much upwards momentum. You will get laid off at the end of every contract and picked up by the next contractor for the same pay. You will have to fight your way to bigger positions and always have employers question your multiple jobs. Won't be good for your long term career.

If you're going to get out of federal service, find a large multinational tech company that supports government and commercial sector (Think Boeing, Lockheed Martin, KPMG, Booze Allen, Etc.) They will have more resources and will be able to support you and provide longer term stability. They will have opportunities to advance, resources to train and develop you, better benefits, etc. The pay will be better, better retirement pension or 401ks and less employee turnover. All better for your long term career.

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Fed gov is for WLB, benefits, and stability. Big tech is for more cash than you know what to do with.

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Nice! Haha

Go private and don't look back. You can thank me in 20 years.

1) Your compensation will increase dramatically over the years.
2) You will learn a lot more.
3) Your peers will be highly motivated and in-turn you will become more motivated.
4) Your federal pension is 1% of every year of service (average of your high 3)....so basically you'd probably max out and get an annual pension of like 30k...big deal.

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Interesting take! Thanks for the insight

Thanks for the insight! Very helpful

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I've been with the federal gov't for over 20 years. Biggest pro would be job stability and WLB. I'm applying outside for the first time and am realizing that a lot of my programming skills are obsolete in industry. I'll probably need a bootcamp or two to have a fighting chance out there. Don't wait as long as I did! Keep your skills up-to-date AND get what you deserve to be paid for by shifting to industry ASAP.

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I’ve been applying to some larger tech companies and have had some luck with interviews. I guess in my view, the larger the company the more secure you might be…we’ll see what happens!

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What type of work do you do?

Compliance analyst in healthcare

Contracting?

Federal employee

Any more insights to this, particularly since there’s more talk about an upcoming recession?

Get out

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