5 Reasons Why a Government Job May Be Better Than a Private Job
There’s no question that the field of government jobs has
declined over the past decade, but that’s not to say that there aren’t still
plenty of government jobs to be had! In fact, some argue that government jobs
offer certain benefits that private sector jobs simply can’t provide. Here are
5 reasons why a government job may be better than a private job.
1) The stability
A lot of people assume that private sector jobs are more
stable than government jobs. However, in today’s job market, those working for
a government agency enjoy just as much job security and stability as those
working for private companies. In fact, if you work for a public school or
non-profit organization, your job is likely to be even more secure than one at
a large corporation.
2) The satisfaction
An employee of a private company may feel disconnected from
their work. Someone in government, however, knows that they are making valuable
contributions to society through their job. Government jobs often have direct
impacts on individuals’ lives, which can be very rewarding. In addition,
working for a public agency gives employees access to services and benefits not
offered by most private companies. For example, many public workers enjoy free
health care and tuition reimbursement at local colleges and universities.
3) The health care
Public employees typically have more generous health
benefits, for themselves and their families, than private-sector workers. This
could be especially important if you’re planning to start a family in your
early 20s. You may also get better vacation time and job security. The only
catch is that many government jobs are unionized, which means you may not be
able to negotiate your salary as easily as you would in a private sector job.
4) The end-of-service benefits
In most government jobs, you’ll have better end-of-service
benefits than in private companies. For example, your pay will be higher and
you’ll receive pension benefits based on your years of service. Even if you
don’t plan to retire from your job, it’s nice to know that there is a safety
net for when you do decide to leave. Also, because of limited opportunities
within certain departments (such as law enforcement), government jobs tend to
attract people who are career oriented and passionate about their work.
5) Low stress levels
Working for government means less pressure than working in a
private firm. In public sector jobs, employees are usually not as concerned
about being fired and generally enjoy job security. They also tend to work more
regular hours and have lower levels of job stress. This means that they may be
able to take time off when they need it without worrying about losing their
job. In fact, many government workers can retire with full benefits at age 55
or 60 (or earlier).