STATE GOVT JOB OR CORP AMERICAI have a situtation!! I need some advice... I am a fairly new college graduate. I am not sure of what type of job to pursue... I am not sure if I should apply for State Gov' t jobs (low pay good benefits and retirement pension ) or jobs at a company (i.e. Corporate America) The thing I am thinking about are soley the retirement plans and job security. If I take a state government job I know I can work 25-30 yrs and retire and have a pension c heck for life . If I take a job in Corp America, I will have to contribute to a 401(k) and have the uncertainty of how long I will have to work
What would you suggest? Should I just go with the jobs that offer more money which will usually be Corp America? I know state govt jobs dont pay anything... I have seen jobs that are releveant to my major but are usually 30k with a state govt job whereas I have seen Corp America jobs that surpass the 30k part Go for them all...then follow your gut. When the right one is presented to you, you' ll know. I believe that many federal agencies have replaced their pension plans for the government equivalent to the 401(k) and many state agencies have, or are planning on, dumping pension plans. So I don' t think going with the government guarantees you an easy retirement any more. I have family that work in the government and I can tell you not all agencies are easy going any more. Many have had their budgets slashed and are expected to deliver the same level services with half or more of the staff missing. Many politicians want the government to start following employment models that are closer to the private sector. One thing that is usually true, but not always, is that supervisers and managers in government can be nicer to work for than those in the private sector. But there are still some real jerks in the government. The private sector does still pay better. Generally speaking a lot better. One family member of mine suggest that if I ever wanted to work for the government it was better to start off in the private sector. Then once you get your salary up to what seem liveable then switch to the government. If you start straight from college they will usually start you at a very very low salary and it will take years before you are getting a liveable salary. While in the private sector you can get a better starting salary and move up much quicker. Then when you switch over you are at least starting with the government at a much higher salary than you would have going in right out of college. But if you have an in with an agency it still could be a sweet deal I' m staying in the private sector until I feel like I want to go for the "early retirement" plan and then may switch to the government sector. But if I go government it will be in management not as a "grunt". That' s the sweet spot of good pay and you get to pass your work off on to others In my state all of the Govt State jobs are based on a pension and not 401ks and IRAs..Although those are options you can choose. I am in my first 2 yrs in the workforce and my salary isvery low. For those of you who work in the private sector, how do you manage your retirement and know how long you will have to work before you retire?
I am guessing that you have to have enough money in your 401k to live off of for the rest of your life. The Federal Govt may pay better than state government. The Fed still offers pension. My friend, who works for a county in PA, will receive a pension. In addition to the pension, he has the option to contribute to a 401(k). Years ago, my family members advised me to work for the government - just like they did. I wish I'd followed their advice - now. Back then, I wouldn't have dreamed of working for the government. Didn't seem exciting enough for me. Like I said, I wish I had followed their advice looking back. Also, you may find not only the pay to be better in private industry but the career opportunities greater as well. There are no guarantees either way. Apply for positions that seem interesting to you in both sectors and choose the one that excites you most. | |
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