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Return to Article: Senator to interns: Go for government jobs

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  I was so happy when I got a government job with the Social Security Administration. After 9 years with this agency and spending my own money and time to complete my bachelor degree. I am sitting in the same position that I started out in 9 years ago.People with less education and less time have certainly moved on up in this agency, but the rest of us just sit waiting for some type of promotion. I think that it is just a laugh that people with even more education that I are just being worked to death for a agency that does not know how to ulilize there people to the benefit of the American people. Hopefully I will be able to get a job in the public sector so that I can use my skills and education in a fulling job.

  Theresa Scullin Posted June 4, 2007 8:42 AM
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  Serve your country and serve well. I am a product of another senator that charged me to join the federal government. I can't believe that come November 2006, I will have 26 years of public service behind me. During 1976-1977, I had the opportunity to meet former Vice President Albert Gore (then a congressman) when he came to his father's (Al Gore, Sr. Class of 1932) and my Alma Mater (Middle Tennessee State University, 1978) to speak to students on serving our government. I am so pleased that he stirred the charge to serve and I count it an exceptional privilege. The one comment that has stuck with me over the years was that "if people help you, then you help others," and he charged us to help others by serving our great country.

  Looking back, I have been blessed to serve and in my way I've gotten to say thank you for the freedom to attend school and to give so others may also have the same privilege. My career with federal government will be coming to a close in the next five to seven years and I have chosen to continue the path to serve by entering my retirement career as a federal attorney in effort to help preserve our constitutional and civil rights. I say to any student: Serve your country, serve well and you will be rewarded in ways you never know will come your way.

  Wynona James Posted August 18, 2006 1:45 PM
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  Dear Bemused,

  Although you are right, you are inaccurate. Yes, there are indeed tradeoffs such as raises that don't keep up with inflation and both bad and good managers in most any work environment. However, you start slipping when you begin generalizing about "typical whiners" not being the average government employee.

  I suppose you believe everyone has annual background checks, five-year FBI background checks (where field agents actually go knocking on your neighbors doors and ask about you), requirements to report any fine or ticket over $200, other requirements to report living arrangements such as domestic partners, prohibitions against collective bargaining, as well as laws against endorsing candidate "x" over candidate "y." You are right about one thing, if you perform well on the job: you will have the opportunity to do the work of the bosses' pets.

  It is not about pity or how "the man" keeps anyone down. It's about those whose rights have been suborned by two bit politicians, their lackey appointees and jerks that believe anyone who raises a complaint is just a typical whiner. Get it?

  Cracked & Wired Posted August 3, 2006 10:49 AM
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  For "Bemused in the South,"

  I guess you must work for the Army Corps of Engineers or some federal agency such as FEMA where they don't know where their employees are or for that matter, even who they are giving a paycheck to. I've been in this government 48 years and I can tell you that there are a lot more worthless, lazy, non-producing managers than there are good ones. Anything they can force an employee under their control to do, which they should be doing, they will do it. Obama needs to wake up and smell the roses and I think you are the one who needs to research more than the others. They have it right and you have it wrong sonny.

  Charlie Posted August 2, 2006 9:40 PM
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  For anyone who is looking, please do some research and talk to people. The typical whiner in these posts is not the typical government employee. There are tradeoffs for sure, same as any job.

  Raises that don't keep up with inflation? You'll deal with that anywhere.

  Some bad managers, some good? Ditto.

  Perform well on the job and opportunities will occur. Keep looking on your own if they don't. Sitting back and having your own pity party about how "the man" keeps you down says far more about you than it does about your employer.

  Bemused in the South Posted August 2, 2006 8:54 AM
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  Before these youngsters sell their souls to Senator Obama, they should be pointed to GovExec.com and told to read and learn what they really have to give up. Their morals, dignity, individuality, and, sometimes, the will to live are just the start. After a few months, they are likely to find comfort in alcohol and antidepressant medications as do a large proportion of federal employees. The numbness lets you do your job no matter how much you hate it.

  The government can't be fixed until something is done about the self-serving, out of touch Congress. Maybe, there will have to be a revolution of sorts. Working for the federal government won't change anything.

  Robert M. Posted July 31, 2006 2:04 PM
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  In one word, "don't." It would be a bad mistake. If a true survey was taken, most federal civilian employees would say it's like a train going downhill and it is going downhill faster by the day. No more are the federal jobs the way to go. Most federal employees are looking to get out if they don't have too many years in.

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 31, 2006 8:55 AM
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  To all those who are looking to a career as a federal employee my advice is don't do it. The present administration has started a tidal wave of contracting federal jobs, which may not end for years to come. You may be safe for 15-20 years and then find out you are no longer a federal employee and your retirement benefits are taken away. Why do you think there is such a need for qualified federal employees? Many are opting for private jobs. Some with the same contractors who will take away your government job 15 years into your career. Talk to former federal employees and current federal employees. Do your homework and that way you will not be sorry for your decision.

  M. Stain Posted July 29, 2006 10:37 AM
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  Think it's time for the senator to have a reality check. While government service can be rewarding and the compensation is almost fair, anyone considering a government career must look at how our salaries are eaten away by inflation. The proposed increase for 2007 ignores the impact of a 4.7 percent increase in the CPI and a forecasted increase in health benefit costs of between 6 and 7 percent. Feds have to learn how to live on an ever decreasing income.

  Almost Broke Posted July 28, 2006 8:22 AM
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  "... a poverty of ambition." The honorable gentleman from Illinois can indeed turn a phrase. It's a sure bet the senator suckered some of those kids into this mess. One can only hope most of them caught the cliche about getting more bang for the buck from the government.

  Let's see, how to get more bang for the buck?? Perhaps by A-76'ing jobs out from beneath loyal federal employees (many with decades of service) or by eliminating pay raises unless budgeted for by Congress.

  Maybe the Senator will prove me wrong by living up to his own words by taking a vow of near poverty and only accepting an amount no greater then the government indexed poverty level as his senatorial wage. Then, if he donated all of his other worldly possessions to a Christian charity he would prove his point!

  Cracked & Wired Posted July 27, 2006 1:04 PM
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  I strongly disagree with the article. I work for the government now. I have been here six years, and there is not good pay or great advancement, or even reward for achieving high levels of educational success. I have a master's degree and the job I am in is a dead end. For example in my sector of government, I work in the docketing department. The only other thing I can do is be the supervisor of that department or work in fiscal. Other than that there is no place to advance. My job is a dead end.

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 27, 2006 11:12 AM
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  "A big bank account, a fancy house," Obama said. "These things are nice, but in the end they show a poverty of ambition."

  This means so much coming from a millionaire who wants to live in the White House.

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 27, 2006 7:22 AM