Reasons to Work for the Government
While the idea of the "government" can be a distant and abstract notion for many citizens, a government is typically run by people just like them. From high elected offices, to the military, to federal law enforcement agencies, to behind the scenes clerical work, it takes competent individuals for a government to run smoothly; in this case, the U.S. government.
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Patriotism
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While the idea of serving your country is commonly associated with the armed forces, you don't have to carry a gun to serve. Employees of the government perform services for the citizens of their country. This may be tracking the nation's financial data so decision makers can make the best long-term fiscal decisions, or planning the civil infrastructure that citizens will use every day or even letting any citizen deliver mail to another citizen by working for the post office. You can take pride in your country by help its government better serve its people.
Stability
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Job security is a more pragmatic reason that you may want to work for the government. In the private sector, jobs come and go as industries change quickly. However, change happens in the government at a much slower pace. While you would not be entirely secure from losing your position in a government job, turnovers and layoffs happen less often. While the highest paid government positions generally pay less than the highest paid private sector positions, you might find job security to be worth the lower salary.
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Work/Life Balance
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Most government jobs have 40 hour work weeks. If you are concerned about maintaining a balance between your work life and your personal life, then working at a job that is set at 40 hours a week is an ideal way to do this. Many private sector jobs have hours that can stretch into 50, 60 or more hours a week with hours that can change at a moment's notice. Government jobs are much more predictable and easier to plan your personal life around.
Benefits
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A major reason many people work for the government is the benefits. Government employees get to join group plans that give employees access to quality health care, and government employees get all federal holidays, such as Columbus Day, off work. Among the most coveted of government benefits are the retirement benefits. Government employees have access to retirement savings plans as well as a pension plan. The pension plan is especially attractive, since it means a retiree will receive a set amount of money each month, depending on how long he worked for the government, for the rest of his retirement.
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References
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