Booya! (AKA this is why you become an engineer)

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Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
33,586
13,277
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That's a huge accomplishment, Congrats to you and your hard work!

Where did you apply? I'm kind of in the same boat, but I only have a BSME and it seems like the private sector has LOWER salaries in FL.

i actually got my job through a scholarship called the SMART program. it's a sweet deal (must be US citizen, able to obtain a clearance, etc. etc.) it's basically the government's way of recruiting scientists/engineers out of college since private industry can be a lot more attractive

government engineer? you'll be lucky if you do anything besides "project management" (aka watching the contractors do all the real engineering).

yeah, there's a lot of PM. luckily there are several research projects i can work on, and a ton of proposals i can write too. we have a lot of cool toys at my work :)
 

theApp

Member
Dec 1, 2001
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i actually got my job through a scholarship called the SMART program. it's a sweet deal (must be US citizen, able to obtain a clearance, etc. etc.) it's basically the government's way of recruiting scientists/engineers out of college since private industry can be a lot more attractive



yeah, there's a lot of PM. luckily there are several research projects i can work on, and a ton of proposals i can write too. we have a lot of cool toys at my work :)

Grats on the job :) I did the SMART thing also; it was a pretty good deal. Finished my 'required time' to complete my deal with the government about 6 months ago but decided it'd be best if I'd stay with them :)
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
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Grats on the job :) I did the SMART thing also; it was a pretty good deal. Finished my 'required time' to complete my deal with the government about 6 months ago but decided it'd be best if I'd stay with them :)


If you work for the Fed Gov its best to stay at least 3 years. Not sure what the SMART requirment is.
Not sure if you were told but when you hit 3 years you get career status. You can leave and reapply for internal jobs after that. If you leave before 3 years then you would have to apply like everybody else and also lose your sick leave.