No matter what the state of the economy, government wants and needs your talent and technical expertise.
Even Charles Worthington, CTO for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has been out on the stump trying to court tech professionals. If working for the federal government doesn’t appeal to you, there are plenty of opportunities in state and local governments as well as public universities, public health and even some 501(c)(3) organizations that receive a substantial portion of their revenue from the government.
But how do you know if a career in public service is the right move for you? From enhanced job security to purposeful work, here are some of the key reasons to consider a career in public service.
Secure, Predictable Income
You can’t get more secure than a permanent, full-time technology job with a federal agency, noted Heather Krasna, associate dean for Career & Professional Development at Columbia University and author of "Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service.”
Although Krasna acknowledges that layoffs (or what the government calls reductions in force) can occur, the affected employees are given “priority consideration” for vacant positions and often end up transferring to another agency.
While it’s also true that you won’t receive stock options or Silicon Valley-style salaries, you may be able to make up the shortfall through overtime or premium pay depending on your role, level and the agency’s need for talent with in-demand skills such as cybersecurity.
Plus, the base pay for a position is always disclosed in job postings, so you can make sure it meets your needs before you apply. Krasna also pointed to generous benefits such as healthcare, defined pension plans, flexible schedules, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and student loan forgiveness, which can save you a lot of money in the long run.
For many tech professionals, you can make more in a stable public service career with good benefits than you can in a roller coaster career in Big Tech.
The Potential to Work with Cutting-Edge Technology
If you’re afraid that you’ll need to forego the opportunity to work with innovative technology by going the public service route, that’s not necessarily the case.
While it’s true that some government agencies still rely on COBOL applications and fax machines, others have been investing billions in artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), nanotechnology, augmented or virtual reality (VR), IoT, DevSecOps processes and more.
You can identify jobs utilizing the latest and most advanced technologies by researching government tech stacks and use cases that show how each agency is using AI or other technologies to better serve the public. Another great resource for private sector technologists considering a transition to public service is Tech to Gov.
It’s important to note that every agency has its own budget for technical training programs, workshops, conferences, certifications and educational courses so you’ll need to ask about the specifics during the interview process.
Meaningful Work
Beyond traditional career goals, the biggest reason to consider a career in public service is the ability to make an impact on the day-to-day lives of citizens, noted Michelle Amante, VP of Federal Workforce Programs for the Partnership for Public Service: “There’s no other place where you can find work like this.”
Whether you want to protect America’s citizens from cybersecurity threats, improve the quality of education, fight disease by modernizing data collection or protect the environment, it’s possible to find a department or agency whose mission aligns with your interests, passions and values.
By the way, you don’t have to live in Washington D.C. to work for the federal government. In fact, some 85 percent of the more than two million federal employees are actually working across the entire country and some jobs are designated as fully remote. Most federal employees are located in California (248,067), Texas (211,873), and Virginia (206,269).
Career Mobility
Moving internally can be extremely difficult in large private sector companies, but it’s actually encouraged in public service.
You’re eligible to move to another federal agency after three years and you’ll have access to positions that aren’t available to people on the outside, Amante said. Plus, management is very support of technology professionals who want to growth their careers by going back and forth between the public and private sectors.
Speaking of opportunities, some 30 percent of the government's 1.6 million full-time employees will be eligible to retire over the next five years opening the door to transfers and management roles for aspiring tech pros who plan ahead.
Generally speaking, the process and criteria for merit-based promotions are available in writing so candidates can take proactive steps to meet the requirements before an opportunity arises.
Opportunities for a Trial Run
The downside of pursuing a permanent government job is the lengthy hiring process, which can last 100 days or more. Starting out at a 501(c)(3) public charity or supporting a university's teaching, learning, research or healthcare mission can be a faster way to get regular paychecks and experience a public service environment before you commit.
Contracting is another way to test the public service waters and often includes a surprising number of benefits. In fact, contractors sometimes get paid more than full-time government workers doing similar jobs. It’s a great way to pay some bills while you navigate the lengthy government hiring process.
