Getting involved in a government type of job?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Recently two people I've been talking with have told me about government jobs, which I've found pretty interesting so far.

One mentioned getting a job offer like any other offer after college and another mentioned getting recruited after taking a test. Supposedly one of them had to go to a "brainwashing" session :Q

What are my options to get involved in something like a classified job with the government?

I'm guessing it's really hard to get into, but I don't really have anything to lose so I figure I should explore my options.

If I did get the opportunity to do some work of this type, I'd probably want to do it after college...

 

[MrBond]

Working for the government, you're not going to make as much as someone doing the same job as you in the private sector. You usually have better retirement though, other benefits may vary.

I looked at a government pay scale, in a research level-position, I'd have to have a PhD before I'd make as much as I would with just a B.S. in the private sector.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: MrBond
Working for the government, you're not going to make as much as someone doing the same job as you in the private sector. You usually have better retirement though, other benefits may vary.

I looked at a government pay scale, in a research level-position, I'd have to have a PhD before I'd make as much as I would with just a B.S. in the private sector.

I wouldn't do this for the pay at all, but rather for the experience and a very interesting job

 

[maddogchen]

I heard you get paid less, but you have better job security and retirement benefits.

 

[dquan97]

I work for the state gov't...pay is a bit lower than private sector and we don't get a bonus or incentives at the end of the year. Benefits, job security, and a pension are great, however. I never work OT, even though I'm in the accounting field.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: dquan97
I work for the state gov't...pay is a bit lower than private sector and we don't get a bonus or incentives at the end of the year. Benefits, job security, and a pension are great, however. I never work OT, even though I'm in the accounting field.

Ah, i see, I'm more interested in classified work, something out of the ordinary

 

[Dissipate]

Government jobs are for idiots who can't cut it in the private sector.

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: MrBond
Working for the government, you're not going to make as much as someone doing the same job as you in the private sector. You usually have better retirement though, other benefits may vary.

I looked at a government pay scale, in a research level-position, I'd have to have a PhD before I'd make as much as I would with just a B.S. in the private sector.

I wouldn't do this for the pay at all, but rather for the experience and a very interesting job

Gov't jobs tend to be less competitive as well. However, like MrBond mentioned, they offer good benefits and retirement.

 

[Feldenak]

USA Jobs

 

[nakedfrog]

Probably get more holidays off too.

 

[Codewiz]

Entry level jobs at my federal job have salaries of 53K/year if you had a 3.0GPA or higher.

When did you graduate school and what is your major?

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: Dissipate
Government jobs are for idiots who can't cut it in the private sector.

That is a pretty freakin stupid statement. I have worked in both the private sector and I currently work for the government.

I am doing more advanced stuff in the government than I could ever get involved in the private sector. Of course my agency is purely technology oriented.

 

[RedRooster]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: dquan97
I work for the state gov't...pay is a bit lower than private sector and we don't get a bonus or incentives at the end of the year. Benefits, job security, and a pension are great, however. I never work OT, even though I'm in the accounting field.

Ah, i see, I'm more interested in classified work, something out of the ordinary

I don't know if you can even get into something classified via external hiring/recruiting.
I'm pretty sure the pool they draw from is all internal, or from people in other public sectors(police/law/etc.). Just a guess though.
I work for federal Canadian government, and I see opportunity to move into higher security areas, but I'd imagine it'd take me another 10 years at this pace.

 

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: dquan97
I work for the state gov't...pay is a bit lower than private sector and we don't get a bonus or incentives at the end of the year. Benefits, job security, and a pension are great, however. I never work OT, even though I'm in the accounting field.

Ah, i see, I'm more interested in classified work, something out of the ordinary

WTF is classified work? What type of field are you interested in? You can't just want a "classified" job without going for some sort of specific field.

Computer security? Apply for an internship at the NSA during your third year of college.
CIA, intelligence gathering? Apply there during your last year of college.
Law enforcement? Apply at the FBI, DEA, DHS, Secret Service, etc. But if you're intererested in a special agent type position, you'll need an advanced degree (JD, Accounting, Biology masters, etc.).

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: RedRooster

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: dquan97
I work for the state gov't...pay is a bit lower than private sector and we don't get a bonus or incentives at the end of the year. Benefits, job security, and a pension are great, however. I never work OT, even though I'm in the accounting field.

Ah, i see, I'm more interested in classified work, something out of the ordinary

I don't know if you can even get into something classified via external hiring/recruiting.
I'm pretty sure the pool they draw from is all internal, or from people in other public sectors(police/law/etc.). Just a guess though.
I work for federal Canadian government, and I see opportunity to move into higher security areas, but I'd imagine it'd take me another 10 years at this pace.

Nope, my agency hired right out of college for stuff. You have to be able to attain clearance and if you can't then you are fired but we don't "hire" internally for classified work because everyone here has clearances.

EDIT: And classified doesn't mean interesting or fun. So I think you looking for a classified position is silly. You have to like what your job is regardless of the fact if you deal with classified info.

 

[RedRooster]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

Originally posted by: RedRooster

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: dquan97
I work for the state gov't...pay is a bit lower than private sector and we don't get a bonus or incentives at the end of the year. Benefits, job security, and a pension are great, however. I never work OT, even though I'm in the accounting field.

Ah, i see, I'm more interested in classified work, something out of the ordinary

I don't know if you can even get into something classified via external hiring/recruiting.
I'm pretty sure the pool they draw from is all internal, or from people in other public sectors(police/law/etc.). Just a guess though.
I work for federal Canadian government, and I see opportunity to move into higher security areas, but I'd imagine it'd take me another 10 years at this pace.

Nope, my agency hired right out of college for stuff. You have to be able to attain clearance and if you can't then you are fired but we don't "hire" internally for classified work because everyone here has clearances.

That's true I guess, just like mine, as long as you have no priors or anything on your record that makes you a security risk you're eligible to work and go into most/any government buildings.
I just wasn't sure if they'd hire some schmuk fresh out of school(even if he had a masters/phd) to work in a high security area like the CSIS or something.

 

[mugs]

Hmmm... 16 year old asian kid asking how to get a classified job on the Internet... somebody's going to be getting a visit from the FBI.

I have a friend who has secret clearance (I think... there are several levels), his company (defense contractor) paid for the whole process. I imagine it's very difficult and very expensive to do if you don't have an employer to sponsor you, and employers would rather hire someone who already has clearance, so that makes it more difficult.