Switching from Private Sector to Public 7

[CBEngi]

I currently work for a multi-disciplinary consulting company and primarily complete the structural design of industrial building, equipment supports and marine structures (I.e wharfs, breakwaters).

I have been offered a Project Manager position with a public agency, with the department primary completing the construction of marine projects. I would now be in charge of the design team (my current role) and contractors, helping to deliver projects truly from concept to completion.

The benefits and pay with the public agency are very good. It would be a considerable raise along with a great pension. I am fairly early in my career, serving 30 years would leave me able to retire slightly before I turn 60.
I’m torn with the decision. In some ways I enjoy the competitiveness and tight timelines of the private section. Also, I am somewhat on a track for management within my company, but that would still be sometime into the future, say another 10 years minimum. If I achieved management the public service would likely no longer be a raise and the additional salary would negate any significant benefits of the pension. Although reaching management is still somewhat of a gamble. This could change with our next president or even my next manager.

I’m wondering if anyone has ever made the switch either way and if they could provide some insight. I feel that I could leave my current employer on good terms (I would be their client if I left) and if the grass wasn’t greener on the other side I could return in the future.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

What about positions in the Intelligence community (insert your favorite/hated governmental three-letter acronym here)? They claim to try to be competitive, but everyone in/around the community knows damn well you can make an easy 50% salary increase going to private industry. Easy. 100% salary increase isn't out of the question in some areas.

Private industry, overall, appears to have a lower tolerance to poor performance, as well. Plenty of govies who are skating through on the minimum day after day, and it's near impossible to get rid of 'em... shipping them to another department is the usual course of action.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[CWB1]

MFJewell, I'm working in automotive now but started in aerospace. I've interviewed for a variety of positions that were mostly in either safety and environmental regulation or technical roles in defense purchasing depts, but have gone after some interestingly remote positions in maintenance too.

 

[HamburgerHelper]

MacGyverS2000,

The NSA pays ridiculously well for the amount of work that it requires. Top Secret clearance is worth its weight in gold for requiring positions.

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If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

They really don't, HH. But if you think their salaries are good, imagine what I make doing the same thing but as a contractor... in that case, yes, a clearance is worth its weight.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[JedClampett]

When I was in college, many years ago, I was desperate for a job. I literally had a wall full of rejection letters. Most of them were polite; thank you, screw you, we'll keep your resume on file.
NSA was advertising in the student magazines. So I applied. They not only sent me a rejection, but they sent my resume back. Like, "We don't even want this smelling up our files."

 

[MacGyverS2000]

I applied with them early on in my career, Jed... heard nothing. Six or seven years later I tried again... same (lack of) response. I tried once more some time after with the identical response. I suppose they didn't require/desire my services. But that's when I finally realized they were in completely different worlds salary-wise from contracting/private industry. Same job, same customer, often even in the same room/building.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com