Decision to make (employment, applying, average, degree)

[Themanwithnoname]

I've got about 16 months to make it, so no rush.

I'l have my Masters in about 16 months and need to decide between a Federal job (Knocking on 6 figures due to my prior career)

Or private sector for $55- $70K

(Fairly certain first year wages)

My goal in a few years is to gradually break into private contracting and when it's big enough work for myself, the Federal job will show me one small segment, the other will probably give me a broader perspective.

But I live cheap. (Under $30K) $30K per year is a sadisfactory lifestyle for me. (And I have a retirement income which ether way will become my investment money)

The federal job will allow me to put back quite the nest egg.

Certain money vs possible knowledge.

Opinions?

[coors]

Originally Posted by Themanwithnoname

I've got about 16 months to make it, so no rush.

I'l have my Masters in about 16 months and need to decide between a Federal job (Knocking on 6 figures due to my prior career)

Or private sector for $55- $70K

(Fairly certain first year wages)

My goal in a few years is to gradually break into private contracting and when it's big enough work for myself, the Federal job will show me one small segment, the other will probably give me a broader perspective.

But I live cheap. (Under $30K) $30K per year is a sadisfactory lifestyle for me. (And I have a retirement income which ether way will become my investment money)

The federal job will allow me to put back quite the nest egg.

Certain money vs possible knowledge.

Opinions?

I would go with the one that has certainty and brings the most happiness. I'm not saying go for the federal or private job but there is a book I can recommend it's called 151 quick ideas for delegating and decision making.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I agree, go with whichever one will make you happy in the job. You can't plan out the future too far.

[Themanwithnoname]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

I agree, go with whichever one will make you happy in the job. You can't plan out the future too far.

Your talking to the guy who started planning for retirement before he was 15!

[Squirl]

Federal job if you have a level of confidence it won't be cut in the near future.

[jasper12]

Six figure fed job? Not buying that one. Even GS-14 don't start at that...and SES are RARELY, if ever hired out of college...

[Themanwithnoname]

Originally Posted by jasper12

Six figure fed job? Not buying that one. Even GS-14 don't start at that...and SES are RARELY, if ever hired out of college...

You may be right, I do not know.

Here is what I DO know:

I did not say "Six figure job."

What I DID say was:

Originally Posted by Themanwithnoname

need to decide between a Federal job (Knocking on 6 figures due to my prior career)

Also:
PRIOR TO deciding to get my masters I went to the Industry's annual Job Fair/Trade show/Conference and did not look for jobs/internships.

WHat I DID do was to ask for advice as to what I could do over the next couple years to make me more desirable to them.

The company reps responded favorably, but what I often heard was that I should apply for federal positions and GS13 was most often mentioned.

Several Gov't services were there and I checked with them.
I was told GS 13, but to try to apply for GS 14 as "I might get it"

SO, now that I'm getting a masters I'm saying to myself "GS 13 OR GS 14"

Now here's what I know:

My Prior Federal Service (military) 'Bumps me up the Ladder', and Being a Disabled Vet makes me more likely to get the job.

THIS CHART:
2011 General Schedule Pay Scale

Talks about 'Step 1, 2, 3 etc...'

I have NO IDEA if my time in will rate me any of those 'steps' although I DO know they are awarded based upon years served.

SO, to play it safe I base my mental calculations on Step 1:

GS13, Step 1 base pay is $71,674 Base pay.
And states:

All U.S. locations (including Hawaii and Alaska) receive additional pay adjustments above the base pay ranging from 14.16% to 35.15%.

14.16% of $71,674 is $10,149
For a total of $81,823

And 35.15% of $71,674 is $25,193
For a total of $96,867

GS14, Step 1 is $84,697

14.16% of 84,697 is $11,993
For a total of $96,690

35.15% of $84,697 is $29,770
For a total of $114,467

I think it is safe to say a realistic number would be somewhere in the middle.

So, unless I missed something, The lowest likely number would be over $10,000 higher than the otherwise likely Max, and for the most part... I think (When your within 12ish% ie... in the mddle of the low range) of 6 figures, and the max starting point of the high range is some 14% ABOVE...you can describe that as:

Originally Posted by Themanwithnoname

Knocking on 6 figures

If I missed something please tell me, I'm winging it here.

[jasper12]

I do know this, that a GS-13 is a potential possibility...but usually for GS-14, those jobs, they already know who they want, those are not only based on politics, but also longevity, and who you know, and where they are. So, unless you are VERY heavily connected, that ain't gonna happen. Even if you have veterans preference, and are the top choice for the job, with education and experience, they would just let the cert slide, and re-post with different qualifications, that you don't have, if you topped the "chosen one". GS-13 from outside, without connections...possible, but those are usually management jobs, and also, there is usually a chosen one.

A better, more realistic goal, is GS-12 and 13 or even GS-11, jobs...then move up from there...and these days, even veterans preference, and a masters degree, is not a golden ticket to federal employment like it used to be. There are less jobs, and the competition is fierce. The average wait time for federal employment, even without a top security clearance is over six months. From the time that the job is posted, to the interview, to the offer, to the clearances.

[Themanwithnoname]

thank you

[jasper12]

So, in your case, when you are done with school, try to get an internship, if possible with a federal agency, that would be a definite help. If that is not feasible, take any job when you get out, and apply for federal jobs...because these days, you really need a job, while applying for federal jobs, because of the length of time that it takes to actually get an day of hire.

So, really, the decision time...is when you are actually offered a job. I think you have plenty of time...

If you want to do private contracting, it might be to your benefit to even take a contracting job, with any agency, that starts at a GS-9/11. While that is lower than your original guess, it would probably be fairly easy for you to get one of those jobs, pretty quickly, and move up from there.