Originally Posted by
ASW1
I've tried the public sector three times. I've enjoyed it but each time left for private sector jobs. The first two I didn't make it to 1 year, but on the last occasion I did 5 years. Was in a senior role, well paid, built a great immediate team of people I liked and who were great at their jobs, had an amazing work life balance, and a 3 minute walk to the office. By most people's standards I was in a peachy position in my 50s to cruise to a simple retirement.
However, the frustration of the organisation's ineptitude, of political meddling by our ministerial dept and others, some poor leadership and overly maternalistic culture and time wasted over and over again on non- value creating stuff made me unfulfilled. It really brought home how lack of professional satisfaction can possibly be more stressful than having to graft big time.
I left and now work for a high growth business with private equity shareholders. I work my nuts off (working the kind of hours I did in my 30s in a listed start up) but I lead a great team, we have achieved some amazing things, we are held to account for delivery, we are able to make decisions, my stakeholders are rational and supportive, the culture of the organisation never ceases to amaze me in a positive way - we all work hard, but we all respect each other and are driven to build the business. If I'm honest I resent the length of my work days, but I am able to have weekends AND my professional pride and self respect is fully restored. I'm am proud of my team, my colleagues, the firm and myself.
Yes, my public sector role did serve a public agenda, but the waste and dysfunctions pretty much offset the public good aspect.
Ask yourself. Do I want to sleep walk to retirement (whatever the point of that is) or do you want to challenge yourself, learn new things, feed a growth mindset and enjoy the journey?
I'm not saying that the OP should do the switch but what is life without risk? Crossing the road, or leaving the house is a risk. Not doing something is a risk.
A line I quote to others in career discussions is consider: Would you rather regret the things you've done/decisions you've made or regret the things you've not done.
Not an easy choice for the OP, and I've heard of many who have regretted leaving a peachy public sector role, but maybe now is the time to take that leap and see what could happen.
Sent from my moto g 5G plus using Tapatalk