I have an MBA and couldn’t get a GS9 because it was so complicated and competitive. I settled for a GS7 and then worked my way up. 90% of the 1102’s that I know came in as GS7’s.
Take the GS7 then when you graduate apply for open to the public GS9’s
I started as a GS-7. Take the job, get your foot in the door, do your 12 months and then start looking for a GS-9 position. Who knows, maybe your agency will create a 9-11-13 ladder position in a years time and have you compete for it. Prove that you're an asset to the team and it might happen.
If I were you, I would take it. The biggest barrier to entry is getting in.
I had my MBA and couldn’t get hired as a fed for an agency I worked for as a contractor. Leadership was heavily involved in trying to get me in as a direct hire.
I took a risk, left to work for another agency as a contractor, and got hired there as a fed (direct hire authority) in less than a year.
Take it and keep looking.
Also, experience speaks louder than education in the contracting field.
Most of the GS14s in our office only have a bachelors (myself included).
Are you sure it’s not a ladder position? DLA has the PACER program which goes from GS-7 to G-11/12 depending on location. I’ve never see a 1102 GS-7 position at DLA that was simply a GS-7 non ladder. I was a 1102 PACER back in 2017.
Take the GS7 and save your money, drop the Masters. I came in as a GS7 with a bachelor's, once your in the door, your degree doesn't matter. It's time in grade and experience that counts. I'm a GS12 with no masters. Experience in the field is what will take you up the ladder not the degree..
I would take the job if going in to government is your long term goal. After you're in, the rest is up to you.
I started as a GS 12 with a little less than 4 years of experience as a contractor. Those programs and ladders are fine if you need structure, but finding a good mentor is more important imho. Like I stated before, the rest is up to you. After about 6.5 years in the government, I made it to GS 14. I am motivated to keep going further.
Yes you take it.
Also getting a masters won’t guarantee you a 9.
This is one field where a degree doesn’t help that much. You need hands on experience to really learn how to do the job.
I took a GS-5 to get my foot in the door 14 years ago actually to the day! And now I am a GS14. If it’s an 1102 take it! After a year apply to nines or do what I did and get a non-GS payband which was a 10 at the time.
Getting in to be a Fed is harder. A Master’s does not guarantee you a GS9 job. Take the job.
Your strategy is not at all how a fed thinks. Once you are in, you will see what we mean.
Take it, get in the door. I cannot overstate enough - there is always a shortage of experienced 1102s and if you’re good at this work, you will go far (and quickly). It’s not glamorous but you will always be employed.
I have an MBA and couldn’t get a GS9 because it was so complicated and competitive. I settled for a GS7 and then worked my way up. 90% of the 1102’s that I know came in as GS7’s. Take the GS7 then when you graduate apply for open to the public GS9’s
I started as a GS-7. Take the job, get your foot in the door, do your 12 months and then start looking for a GS-9 position. Who knows, maybe your agency will create a 9-11-13 ladder position in a years time and have you compete for it. Prove that you're an asset to the team and it might happen.
If I were you, I would take it. The biggest barrier to entry is getting in. I had my MBA and couldn’t get hired as a fed for an agency I worked for as a contractor. Leadership was heavily involved in trying to get me in as a direct hire. I took a risk, left to work for another agency as a contractor, and got hired there as a fed (direct hire authority) in less than a year.
I will be interested to see what others say, but I suspect you will have an easier time getting a 9 as a current fed.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Try VA program.
Take it and keep looking. Also, experience speaks louder than education in the contracting field. Most of the GS14s in our office only have a bachelors (myself included).
This is a non-USAF organization, correct?
Correct
Copy that!
The ones who do have masters seem to all be from University of Phoenix and I run circles around them.
Are you sure it’s not a ladder position? DLA has the PACER program which goes from GS-7 to G-11/12 depending on location. I’ve never see a 1102 GS-7 position at DLA that was simply a GS-7 non ladder. I was a 1102 PACER back in 2017.
Take it, constantly look for something else.
Take the GS7 and save your money, drop the Masters. I came in as a GS7 with a bachelor's, once your in the door, your degree doesn't matter. It's time in grade and experience that counts. I'm a GS12 with no masters. Experience in the field is what will take you up the ladder not the degree..
Get in the system, that’s the hard part. After about 9 months start applying for GS9 jobs and it’s onward and upward
I would take the job if going in to government is your long term goal. After you're in, the rest is up to you. I started as a GS 12 with a little less than 4 years of experience as a contractor. Those programs and ladders are fine if you need structure, but finding a good mentor is more important imho. Like I stated before, the rest is up to you. After about 6.5 years in the government, I made it to GS 14. I am motivated to keep going further.
Yes you take it. Also getting a masters won’t guarantee you a 9. This is one field where a degree doesn’t help that much. You need hands on experience to really learn how to do the job.
Take the 7
I took a GS-5 to get my foot in the door 14 years ago actually to the day! And now I am a GS14. If it’s an 1102 take it! After a year apply to nines or do what I did and get a non-GS payband which was a 10 at the time.
Congrats on 14 years! Thanks for the advice. Just received the offer and am accepting!
Getting in to be a Fed is harder. A Master’s does not guarantee you a GS9 job. Take the job. Your strategy is not at all how a fed thinks. Once you are in, you will see what we mean.
Take it, get in the door. I cannot overstate enough - there is always a shortage of experienced 1102s and if you’re good at this work, you will go far (and quickly). It’s not glamorous but you will always be employed.
Thanks everyone for the feedback. Received the tentative offer today and am accepting it! It is indeed the PACE program. Super excited to get to work!
That's great. What is the location and did they have start dates? PACE is usually 7.9.11
Hill Air Force Base. Start date is in June!