Government Job vs. Consulting Company?

[onmywayParticipant 502]

Hi guys!
I’m currently working at a library as an IT-librarian. Pretty chill gig, decently paid (around 68k US$), lots of great benefits and no stress what-so-ever. Boring as f~~~, but hey…

I just finished my MA in Digital Library and Information Sciences in order to increase my salary at my current job. (About the degree – yeah, it’s a random and worthless degree, I know, but I did it primarily as I could combine the MA studies with full-time work. I’m from Scandinavia, so no tuition costs. I’ve basically worked 100% and studied 100% for two years).
I sent out a couple of applications after finishing my MA just to test the waters, and it turns out that several IT consulting companies actually think my degree is worth something and want me as their employee (!)
I’ve already got several interviews lined up, and one job offer at 85k$. So that’s pretty cool.
Hoooowever, I have absolutely no desire to climb the corporate ladder. I already save 70% of my take home pay with the library gig and will be able to retire early / f~~~ off in about 7-8 years with my current salary. I live mostly for my hobbies – music and language studies. I work part time as a musician, and can only do that due to the lack of stress / over-time at my current gig.

So, to all of you guys out there in the private sector working in IT consulting – what would you recommend me to do? Stay put in the safe and stress-free government job at 68$ a year? Or bust my ass for some years in the private world for a potentially (much) higher salary?

FYI – I do not believe in “fun” jobs. I hate working for other people with a passion, and can’t wait to quit it all. When I did the interview with the IT company that made the job offer, I did fine in the interview itself, but I had a gut feeling that the “Here at our company you get free lunch, iPads, nap time, social activities, company trips, blablabla” stuff they told me had the hidden, small-text postscript that said “In exchange FOR YOUR SOUL!!!”.
But I might just overly skeptical, maybe it’s a cool job…

[AwakenedParticipant 35201]

I’m NOT in the IT world, but I think YOU have answered your own question.

WHY give up the LOW STRESS job that is meeting ALL your NEEDS $$$$$ PLUS, to go into the private sector where the daily grind/competition/increased hours, stress, –maybe travel,ETC. create all types of health/psychological problems for MANY Men ???

What is your health and PEACE of Mind worth to you ??

WHY potentially cash in ANY of the benefits of your current “easy” low stress job to jump into the Rat Race ?

All of this for maybe $20K a year more? Maybe, you’ll make more in the future, maybe you’ll get replaced as well ????

Isn’t your daily Low Stress Life worth a Hell of a Lot MORE then the $$$$ to you ?

Most Government jobs are usually STABLE LONG TERM GIGS. In the private sector, younger recruits come along, businesses are sold, New managers clean house ETC., and you could find yourself 50 years old without any job and any prospects.

If I was in your shoes, I would CHERISH the solitude of your present job, and the pay is more then enough if I was single as well.

I would get dam comfortable, and ENJOY ALL of my FREE TIME !!!

In a World of Justin Beibers Be a Johnny Cash

[narwhalParticipant]

My first job out of college was a government job. Yes, it was very easy, but I hated it as well. There were two types that worked there. Those that cared passionately about the job, and those that wanted a free ride. I was neither. If you fit those two categories, maybe it’s a fit for you even though it wasn’t for me.

My second job out of college was IT consulting. I loved that job. I gained a ton of experience that way. You never stay in one place too long, so boredom doesn’t set in as easy. The stress level isn’t that high as well, since you know it’s always only temporary. It makes sense to do the job when you’re young and not tied down. You can travel without worrying about how it impacts your social life…although I never had a side job I was committed to. It is also a good way to save money since traveling on the company dime means low expenses.

Of the people I know who did the same, they either stayed with it and were rather happy, often becoming independent consultants…or they fell into a good job above entry level with a lot of experience under their belt.

Personally, I think you should go the consulting route, unless you want to take the music route seriously.

Ok. Then do it.

[VirgilParticipant 970]

There is a lot of knowledge in what Awakened stated.

I am in the consulting world. It is not for anyone. I find myself sometimes asking why I am, and what led me here. I was recently let go from a job for lack of work (since company wasn’t winning any work). It sucked but i lucked out in the end and am at a better company now.

If you have a stable government job, Unless it’s a complete s~~~ fest you can’t stand I would recommend staying in it. That’s just my 2 cents worth, not in the IT industry though.

In the end though you have to do what’s right for you.

As a final thought we are living in a time of replacement. Companies have little to no loyalty to employees and don’t expect the to stick around and as such treat them generally in a bad manner. At the same time employees realize they are not appreciated and jump around. If you want to work in one place for a long time government is probably only way to do that.

Hope that helps with your decision.

Hope that someday I may lead others the path I have learned. As Virgil led Dante through Hell.

[onmywayParticipant 502]

Thank you guys so much for your valuable input!
The low stress levels at my current gig is indeed worth a whole lot more than I might think. I’ve worked in high-stress environments before, and it f~~~ing sucked.

Hmm… Have some thinking to do!

[Buller100Participant 2189]

Stay where you are , if you invest in the markets get some rental debt you will be done in 10 years, but if the job is stress free perhaps part time or something else would work.

When business is good consulting and corporate work is fun, when times are bad you meet desperate back biting manginas scared who tell lies.

[AwakenedParticipant 35201]

onmyway wrote:

Thank you guys so much for your valuable input!
The low stress levels at my current gig is indeed worth a whole lot more than I might think. I’ve worked in high-stress environments before, and it f~~~ing sucked.

Hmm… Have some thinking to do!

You might have to actually reconcile WHY do you want to give up what you have which there is more good then bad, and venture into the unknown?

Is it just money?
I don’t think that’s the motivator as there is no guarantee that you will make more in the long run.

Is it the feeling that you could/should be doing more ?
Invest in yourself and your hobbies and be grateful that you have the opportunity/time to self-actualize.

Is it that YOU really LOVE what you could be doing as compared to what you’re doing ?
In that case, maybe you can free-lance, and make that money for yourself ?

Whatever YOU decide, I wish YOU the Best with It !!

That’s the BEAUTY of Being a truly FREE Man, You can Decide to do Whatever the F~~~ that You Want To Do !!!

In a World of Justin Beibers Be a Johnny Cash

[Author]

Posts