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What are the pros and cons for working in a government agency?

I currently volunteer with several nonprofits doing communications and programmatic work, but I am looking to extend this to government agencies. What are the costs and benefits of working for a government agency (salary, job security, etc.)?

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Katie’s Answer

I agree with doing an informational interview. The great thing about working for the government is that there are lots of options, you have city, county, state, and federal, so really explore those options out there. Ro highlighted some of the pro's that are great, so I'll focus on a few of the cons. It is hard to get a job in the government, so starting with an internship can really help you transition and network. There are a lot of great programs to hire students at all levels of the government. Another thing that a lot of people who have worked in the government complain about is the bureaucracy. You have to get used to working with a lot of layers of approval and sometimes things don't move as quickly as people like. I think doing an informational interview with someone's career that you admire could be really helpful for you.
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Courtney’s Answer

Since it can be such a broad field with many different types of work, offices, etc. I'd suggest talking to many different people who are working in various government agencies (local, federal, etc.) and in all different types of roles/offices. Ask them questions about their work, pros and cons, how they got to that point in their career, and for any advice that they might have to share. We call these informational interviews; it's amazing networking and you never know how much those connections will/can assist you in the future! Stay in touch with these folks by connecting on LinkedIn!
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Ro’s Answer

Working for a government agency could be really rewarding personally and financially if you locate a position that interests you. Upper management positions for cities and states could earn upwards of 6 digits, however usually you have to gain certifications or pass exams depending on the field. For ex., if you were the Director of Communications for a certain department in the City of Los Angeles, you could earn between $60-$120k.
One of the strongest benefits of a government job are the benefits - medical insurance, vacation days, and usually less working hours when comparing to the private sector.
Job Security - City jobs are usually secure, however they are subject to the economic conditions of the city/state. (You can see this effect in the current COVID19 economy).

I've worked in both the private and public sectors, and so far I've enjoyed the public sector more because of the high level of interaction and collaboration I am able to do. First find out which field you want to pursue, and compare government and private jobs to see which provides the life style and benefits that you prefer.
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Anat’s Answer

Working as a civil servant has a lot of pros outside the monetary compensation. Being a part of an organization that really makes a difference in people's everyday life, and is not serving the personal causes or interest of an owner makes your work more meaningful because you know you are doing things for the public. Salaries will vary, based on the employer (City, District, State, Federal) but are usually easy to research even within a short google search. What you don't necessarily know before you start working are the extra benefits that can accumulate to 1000's of $$ annually. If it's belonging to a certain group/union which gives you better terms and cost of services (special prices or extra value for civil servants etc.), or just the nature of work (always legal, never not compensate you for overtime, usually good amount of vacation days and so forth) and of course health insurance and good coverage.
The other side of the equation is the fact that in general, usually you'll get paid much better working for a private company. It will probably have nicer looking offices and better snacks (or snacks, at all...). I have been working in government organizations for 10 years now and sometimes I do wonder what would have been if I were to choose the private sector path....
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Sonia’s Answer

Working for government can be amazing. If you are lucky you can work with a group of people that are committed to making a difference and in the process can accelerate your career development. The variety of work can be fantastic and you will be involved in things that are really meaningful to people's lives.

The downsides can be that financially it is not as rewarding. And working in private industry has given me so much more development of my leadership skills because I get to work with some corporate super stars.
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