Cliffs:
-Currently a federal government employee, like my job
-Had some issues, since resolved, in September, so looked elsewhere
-New, INTERESTING job available, probably 2.5 times my current salary plus large annual bonus doing securities research
-Downside of new job is worse hours, general uncertainty about changing jobs, etc.
My question is, had anyone LEFT government service to take a private sector offer and regretted it. I'm young, engaged, no kids, so I guess now would be the time to try a change in career...just a bit worried. I'm comfortable now, but like new challenges. Thoughts?
------------------
Currently I work for the government as a researcher. Good group of people, decent salary ($60-70k), great benefits obviously. Only downsides are limited career opportunities within my agency, general government red-tape, and the lack of direction on my current position. I do research on any number of areas/topics, but it is the kind of research and analysis that is 100-feet wide but only 10-feet deep. I find it interesting, but not sure how well it will translate into a new job 2-3 years down the road.
Been in this position for almost 2 years, part-time while in graduate school and full-time since graduation. Great boss, good coworkers, no real complaints except as noted above. Good quality of life, too. Every other Friday off with the way the schedule is setup.
Going back to September, there were some issues in transferring my from one rating to another (government red tape :frown
, so I decided to see what else was out there. I found a posting on my alumni network for a securities analyst at a local investment company (so no need to move, uproot fiancee, etc.) that looked VERY interesting to me. I would be doing industry and regional analysis on the focus of my graduate degree, using my foreign language skills, and generally be moving in a direction that I would happy doing. New position still has good benefits (vacation, insurance, retirement, etc.) but the kicker is the salary; the position is 2-2.5 times what I make now PLUS a large bonus (mid-5 to low 6-figures each year for 12+ years now).
Did a 5+ hour interview with the folks I'd be working with yesterday. All of them were nice and seemed like good people, and the job sounds awesome. Haven't extended me a formal offer, but I'm in the final 3 they're interviewing and I got the impression I had the inside track due to the interview (went WELL) and my language skills. Hours are different (1-9pm Sun-Thurs) to be there for the Asian markets, some travel which is a plus to me, and some overtime which I don't have now with current job.
It would be nice to make that kind of money, but I've never had or expected to be making that much until I was much older/never. Would go a long way towards home ownership, traveling the world, and kids down the road...but as stated the hours are a bit more difficult. Fiancee did sign off on it though, will hear back with final answer next week-ish.
Decisions...thoughts?
-Currently a federal government employee, like my job
-Had some issues, since resolved, in September, so looked elsewhere
-New, INTERESTING job available, probably 2.5 times my current salary plus large annual bonus doing securities research
-Downside of new job is worse hours, general uncertainty about changing jobs, etc.
My question is, had anyone LEFT government service to take a private sector offer and regretted it. I'm young, engaged, no kids, so I guess now would be the time to try a change in career...just a bit worried. I'm comfortable now, but like new challenges. Thoughts?
------------------
Currently I work for the government as a researcher. Good group of people, decent salary ($60-70k), great benefits obviously. Only downsides are limited career opportunities within my agency, general government red-tape, and the lack of direction on my current position. I do research on any number of areas/topics, but it is the kind of research and analysis that is 100-feet wide but only 10-feet deep. I find it interesting, but not sure how well it will translate into a new job 2-3 years down the road.
Been in this position for almost 2 years, part-time while in graduate school and full-time since graduation. Great boss, good coworkers, no real complaints except as noted above. Good quality of life, too. Every other Friday off with the way the schedule is setup.
Going back to September, there were some issues in transferring my from one rating to another (government red tape :frown
, so I decided to see what else was out there. I found a posting on my alumni network for a securities analyst at a local investment company (so no need to move, uproot fiancee, etc.) that looked VERY interesting to me. I would be doing industry and regional analysis on the focus of my graduate degree, using my foreign language skills, and generally be moving in a direction that I would happy doing. New position still has good benefits (vacation, insurance, retirement, etc.) but the kicker is the salary; the position is 2-2.5 times what I make now PLUS a large bonus (mid-5 to low 6-figures each year for 12+ years now).Did a 5+ hour interview with the folks I'd be working with yesterday. All of them were nice and seemed like good people, and the job sounds awesome. Haven't extended me a formal offer, but I'm in the final 3 they're interviewing and I got the impression I had the inside track due to the interview (went WELL) and my language skills. Hours are different (1-9pm Sun-Thurs) to be there for the Asian markets, some travel which is a plus to me, and some overtime which I don't have now with current job.
It would be nice to make that kind of money, but I've never had or expected to be making that much until I was much older/never. Would go a long way towards home ownership, traveling the world, and kids down the road...but as stated the hours are a bit more difficult. Fiancee did sign off on it though, will hear back with final answer next week-ish.
Decisions...thoughts?
Facebook
Twitter