Advising - Four Myths About Federal Service
Students often have misperceptions about government service. Here are the four most common myths and the realities that debunk them.
MYTH #1: THE "BUREAUCRACY" MYTH
Myth: Federal employees are paper pushers who are caught up in bureaucracy. Your work as a federal employees does not make a difference.
Reality: Young federal employees get to work on substantitive issues that affect the future of our coutnry. For students who want to make a difference, the federal government is arguably the best place to contribute.
MYTH #2: TEH "LOW PAY" MYTH
Myth: Salaries for federal employees are low. Hence, you are better off going to work elsewhere.
Reality: Entry level salaries are competitive with many industries. Plus, federal employees advance quickly with the possibility of increasing their salary by 150 percent in just two to three years! The benefits and work/life balance of government offers are often better than any other sector.
MYTH #3: THE "WASHINGTON" MYTH
Myth: Say goodbye to your friends and family. If you work for the government, you have to work in D.C.
Reality: In fact, 84 percent of federal jobs are outside of the D.C. metro region, with 50,000 jobs abroad.
MYTH #4: THE "POLITICAL SCIENCE" MYTH
Myth: Federal employees are all social sciences majors. The government does not need people with other academic backgrounds.
Reality: Federal agencies do not just need social sciences majors. In fact, some of the highest need areas are public health and medicine, engineering, the sciences, business and accounting and informatin technology. There is a place for every background in federal service.
For more facts and information on federal service visit:
http://makingthedifference.org or http://ourpublicservice.org/OPS/programs/calltoserve/
