Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Public vs. Private Sector?

Posted by Cliff on from the where-would-you-prefer-to-work dept.

yusing asks: "Public sector or private sector? Which would you rather work in? What are Slashdot reader experiences like? What are the differences in work environments? What are the frustrations of each? This person chose private sector after working in public. This article argues that the public sector should be expanded. There are definitely political considerations in this choice (bigger/smaller government for example) but I'd like help deciding which would be more appropriate for me. Where can I find quality reading to help me decide?"

5 of 348 comments (clear)

  1. Do you want to rot securely or take a risk? by Ars-Fartsica · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I think is the real question. Going to work in most large institutions, be it government or a large corporation, is an opportunity to securely rot for a long time. Note that I use the word secure, although in reality most large corporations are as likely to constantly trim/grow staff now as small ones.

    You should work in at least one small, on the edge company for some period of time when you are young and can take more risks. These are the types of places you really learn and grow without having your fate defined by a strictly defined job definition.

    This type of question is likely to be answered by all sorts of people crapping on the private sector because of the job situation out there. Come on folks, markets recover. Taking a risk on a smaller company when you have no dependents and no long term debt (like when you are first out of college) is a must.

  2. Public sector downsides... by Ars-Fartsica · · Score: 5, Insightful
    There are many downsides to the public sector. Pay is often not very good. Your office is often a petri dish for government social engineering...which also breeds the worst kind of office politics.

    Added to which, to be frank, from my experience you will end up working with the most mediocore people the market can bear. Sorry, but many government offices are staffed by the otherwise unemployable. Do you really want to work with these people??

  3. Where can I find quality reading to help me? by jukal · · Score: 3, Insightful

    In your own head. What rewards you? Is it money? Is it scientific fame? Is it making products used by millions? Is it doing something ethically good? Is it long lasting research work? Is it the ability to change work-description quickly?

  4. You have a choice? Congratulations! by gosand · · Score: 3, Insightful
    At this point in the economy, I think you should take whatever you can get. If you have that big of a choice where you can decide between one or the other, then you are doing better than most. Probably no matter what you choose, things will change in 5 years. Personally, I wouldn't want to work at the same place for life, but I don't want to be switching jobs every 2 years either. A lot can happen in 5 years, especially in the IT industry.

    A great band once said:
    Yes there are two paths you can go by
    But in the long run
    There's still time to change the road you're on

    --

    My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.

  5. Public sector = GOOD by Markgor · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It goes without saying that for job security, the public sector is the best. The variety of positions available within the public sector is also much better.

    However, the stereotype is that a job in the public sector is mundane.

    After many years of working in the private sector, I am now working at Health Canada in the development of a public health surveillance system. I went in with apprehension because I had heard so many stories of public servants sitting around their desks doing nothing - not my cup of tea. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the group I'm in was very sharp and very professional. No two hour lunches and half hour coffee breaks here.

    I started wondering why and began to realize the reason behind it all. Given that there have been many layoffs in the private sector, the public one has benefitted greatly from the pool of talent that has been made available. These people have brought with them skills and a level of professionalism that has changed many government departments for the better.

    Note, however, that this hasn't applied to all departments. I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones. :-)