There are many pros and cons to the job. Being the eternal optimist I will start with the pros.I have a government job with 14 years of service which makes my job more secure than most. I get paid a salary that I can count on that pays the bills and leaves me with some money to have fun with. I have benefits that most people only get when they are in a management job.Ok so much for the pros.
On the flip side, I make less money than I could in the private sector, I work with people who sometimes drive me to drink. I work fairly bazaar shifts that change and only get worse every three months, and I really am quite burned out. I deal with the fine citizens of my employer who think they can yell and cuss at you because they pay my salary. Last time I checked I pay taxes too, probably more than they do because I am honest about my finances. My employers idea of a moral problem is, if you dont like the job dont let the door hit you on the way out. Did I mention that it takes a timesheet and a form filled out in triplicate and the whim of a supervisor to go home ½ early?
Here I am stuck in a dead end job, with no real chance to get ahead. Hmm havent I heard that in a commercial someplace? I have fallen into the category of people that cannot afford to quit their job. Regardless of what my boss thinks I think I do a very good job and I could easily get a job doing the same thing with some other city for more money, but I would lose my seniority and depending on where I went my retirement benefits.
Am I a whiner like they say I am? Should I stay with this job till I turn 55 and collect a pension and start my life all over again? (assuming I dont die of stress by then) Or do I take a chance and cash out and throw myself into the job market in search of fulfillment? Some people would probably give their life to be in my position, but I dont know what is more important, a steady pay check and misery or taking a gamble and being happy.
I suppose time will tell.
At 32 years of age, I am re-evaluating where I want to be in life. Am I stuck in a dead end job, or am I lucky to have my job? I have been working in local government, specifically law enforcement for 14 years now. Actually I got hired whenI was 18 and it is really the only thing I know.