[BigO1120]

I’m currently working for a big time retail company in their IT department. I really enjoy working for the company but lately I have been becoming bored of the work. The money is really good but I could be making more and doing more. I’ve been looking around here and there for another job but with no sense of urgency. I have a friend who works for the government and she tells me that her office is looking for an IT person and I feel I have the required skills to land the job. She tells me that the benefits are great (she just had a baby and didn’t have to pay a single $ for the costs) and even though the pay is not FANTASTIC it’s certainly more then what I’m making right now. PLUS…working for the government secures me a job.

I want to know if there’s anyone out there who works for the government and if so is it worth making the move? I also hear that you’d need to be represented by the Union…is there any real advantage to that?

[UncleWede]

I spent 14 years working for the federal government/Navy as an IT person, but my title was mathematician. I retired and became contractor because the Navy wasn't all it was originally cracked up to be, in terms of protection of jobs. The benefits are great in terms of retirement, helathcare, leave.

Then came NMCI, a very vulgar four letter word in teh Navy. It was supposed to eliminate IT departments, but just created a big mess.

So, I moved to city government. Still issues, not as good on the health benefits, but pretty stable on the work environment.

So government work will not make you rich, but might keep the stress level down on keeping your job as long as you do well.